Settlers seize and press Palestinian olives amid escalating harvest violence
Palestinian farmers report that Israeli settlers have been stealing olives and pressing them at a nearby outpost, while attacks on harvesters have risen sharply.
During one outlet olive harvest, Palestinian farmer Ahmed Salem recounted settlers striking his trees, confiscating the olives and transporting them to the Avichai Farm outpost for oil production. Israeli rights organization Yesh Din documented 125 attacks on harvesters and 168 thefts in the first 24 days of the season, with the army present in roughly a quarter of cases. Settlers argue the practice fulfills a religious mandate, whereas rabbis are divided, with some condemning it as theft.
The outpost advertises premium olive oil priced around $20 per bottle and receives government support through the Farms Association. The violence has intensified ahead of an upcoming Israeli election, and Palestinian officials say three Palestinians have been killed in related attacks this year.
Why it matters
The theft and violence threaten Palestinian livelihoods and raise international concerns over settlement policies.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 EU debates ban on settlement products as Israeli forces raze West Bank homes
- Oct 8 Consular staff removed the plaque and signage after the closure deadline passed.
- Oct 9 Field reports recorded at least 19 Israeli settler assaults on Palestinians by midday Friday, targeting farmers, trees and livestock during the olive harvest.
- Oct 10 Israeli forces issued new evacuation orders for multiple Gaza neighborhoods.
- Oct 10 The consulate was officially renamed the UK Mission, Jerusalem and its staff was reduced to seven.
- Oct 10 Approximately 10,000 people gathered in Dublin for a pro-Palestine march, demanding Irish sanctions on Israel and criticizing government policies.
- Oct 12 A Gaza resident died of liver cancer after prolonged delays in medical evacuation.
- Oct 16 A settler was observed firing a gun during the latest assault.
- Oct 16 Israeli airstrikes on the cease‑fire anniversary caused new civilian fatalities.
- Oct 17 Heidi Levine was kicked, stripped of her equipment and hospitalized after being assaulted by roughly fifty young settlers.
- Oct 17 A London demonstration of roughly 250,000 participants was added to the global protest series.
- Oct 17 Settlers attacked a diplomatic convoy in Taybeh, injuring French mayor Bernard Baudoux.
- Oct 19 Israeli police have taken eight individuals into custody following a series of assaults by settlers in the West Bank, which targeted a U.S. photojournalist and several European diplomats.
- Oct 19 Police have arrested ten suspects and filed charges of violent conduct and breach of military orders.
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