Israel has been called upon, by UN agencies and other international NGOs, to better protect Palestinian farmers from violence by Israeli settlers. Palestinian olive farmers are currently harvesting, which is crucial to their livelihoods. Israel has been called on to ensure that Palestinian families can access their land “freely and safely”.

The Saudi Gazette reports that the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that, between October 7 and November 2, 33 incidents had been recorded where Israeli settlers had attacked Palestinians or damaged their trees or produce. 25 Palestinians were injured in the attacks, and 1,000 olive trees burned or damaged. Large amounts of olive produce was also stolen by the settlers.

The OCHA says Israeli authorities have already placed such severe restrictions on olive farmers, that it becomes extremely difficult for them to make a living from their crop. The Saudi Gazette reports that Palestinians who have farmland near some settlements are given only two to four days to access it throughout the entire harvesting season. This gives settlers greater opportunity to damage the trees. Further, while farmers need a special permit to access olive groves behind the Israeli West bank barrier, most applications are rejected, due to failure to prove land ownership. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Palestinians attempting to get permission to farm their land are forced to take the risk of visiting overcrowded permit offices.

The UN, and international NGO’s, are calling on the Israeli Government to abide by its obligations under international law, and to allow Palestinians safe, timely and sufficient access to their olive groves.

Umm Muhammed Umar