Besieged Palestinian farmers unable to harvest olives

By Kays Ebu Semra

ISTANBUL (AA) - Palestinians are unable to harvest olives in their orchards due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli army since Oct. 7, 2023, and attacks by Israeli settlers.

The Israelis have been attacking Palestinian homes and agricultural lands in various ways, taking advantage of the restrictions imposed by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank since the comprehensive attacks on the Gaza Strip began last year.

Due to these attacks, Palestinian farmers are afraid to work on their lands close to the areas seized by Israelis in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Palestinians in Madma, a town of 2,500 inhabitants in the northern part of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, are unable to harvest their 5,000 acres (around 20.23 sq km) of olive groves due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli army and attacks by Israelis seizing Palestinian lands.

Palestinian Minister of Agriculture Rezq Basheer-Selimia told the press that the ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli army and attacks by the Israelis are affecting Palestinian farmers, noting that at least 100,000 acres (approximately 404.69 sq km) of olive groves in the West Bank are not available for harvesting.

- ‘Settlers attacked residents of the town who were harvesting olives’

Israeli settlers attacked the town of Madma in Nablus, beating and threatening Palestinians. The Israelis also damaged Palestinian homes and stole agricultural tools.

Abdullah Ziyade, head of the Madma Town Council, told Anadolu: “A group of Israeli settlers attacked residents of the town who were harvesting olives the other day. The settlers opened fire at the farmers and drove them away from the olive groves.”

Ziyade pointed out that there is Palestinian land near the town that the Israelis usurped in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and that fanatical Jews in these areas constantly attack Palestinians and steal from their gardens, noting that the Israelis also prevent Palestinians from going to their lands.

In response, the Israeli army protects the attackers and imposes restrictions on Palestinians, Ziyade said.

“At the moment, we are not allowed to access 5,000 acres (around 20.23 sq km) of land, most of which is planted with olive trees. Security reasons are cited because it is close to illegal settlements. About 70% of Madma's lands are difficult to access.”

Stating that the Israeli army has built a metal barrier at the point opening to the northern part of Madma since Oct. 7, 2023, and has not allowed Palestinians to go to their lands, Ziyade said: “The occupation claims that it imposes these restrictions for security reasons. However, they aim to expand the area of illegal settlements.”

Palestinian farmers are deprived of their sources of income due to the practices imposed by the Tel Aviv administration, said Ziyade, adding: “These practices also lead to incitement. Palestinians see with their own eyes that settlers roam on their lands that they cannot visit.”

- ‘We are subjected to attacks every day’

Abdurrahim Assad, 67, a farmer from Madma, described the attacks they face while working on their land.

“Every day, we are subjected to attacks by the Yitzhar settlement guard and settlers. They don't want anyone to come to their garden. A few days ago, the Yitzhar settlement guard stole our olive harvesting equipment and the olives we harvested.”

“The land belongs to us, but the occupier is trying to empty the land in order to make it suitable for settlement projects,” said Assad, who is constantly watching his surroundings while harvesting in his garden.

Asad, who noticed the approach of the Yitzhar settlement guard while the Anadolu team was filming in the field, pointed out that the Israeli guard was content with watching them today and said: “He obviously does not want to be caught on camera with his attacks.”

Assad, who owns 17 acres (around 0.07 sq km) of olive groves in Madma, said that olive trees are actually an integral part of the Palestinian historical heritage.

“Despite all the difficulties, we will not give up our land. Today, we are expelled from our land at gunpoint, and we come back the next day.”

- Israelis continue their attacks on Palestinian lands

Bashar Karyouti, a Palestinian activist living near Madma, said that a group of Israelis from the settlement of Yitzhar attacked Palestinians living in the town of Huwwara near Nablus, beating them, destroying their olive trees, and stealing their crops.

“The olive harvest is abundant this year, but Israeli settlers are disturbing the peace. Under the protection of the Israeli army, they carry out attacks in various ways, including with live bullets.”

Majid Khalif, who lives in the town of Rantis west of Ramallah, stated that the Israelis imposed a siege on Palestinians harvesting olives.

Khalif pointed out that these actions were carried out under the auspices of the Israeli army.

- ‘A difficult harvest season’

Palestinian Minister of Agriculture Rizq Selimiye said that they are expecting a “difficult harvest season” for olives in the shadow of the Israeli attacks on Palestinian lands and Israel's genocidal war.

Selimiye said he held a meeting with representatives of various institutions on the olive harvest and the protection of Palestinian farmers.

Selimiye said that a difficult and dangerous season awaits them due to the increasing attacks and violations, adding that last year, farmers were unable to harvest more than 100,000 acres (approximately 404.69 sq km) of olive groves due to attacks by Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands.

Selimiye emphasized that they face a similar risk this year.

According to Israeli data, it is estimated that there are more than 720,000 Israelis living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, 744 Palestinians, including 160 children, have been killed in attacks by Israeli soldiers and Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands since October 7, 2023.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan