Protect the West Bank olive harvest

Admist Settler Attacks and Economic Hardship Palestinian Farmers Union Calls for Urgent Action

7.10.2024, West Bank, Palestine

This year’s olive harvest in Palestine, a critical lifeline for over 100,000 families, is under severe threat from escalating settler violence and catastrophic losses. Once a season of unity and celebration, the olive harvest is now overshadowed by fear, violence, and economic peril.

The violence devastates the primary agricultural event of the year, costing farmers millions in lost harvests, damaged trees, and ruined land. The olive oil industry—making up 15% of the West Bank’s agricultural GDP and supporting 100,000 families—faces an estimated $50 million in losses this season.

PFU's Global Call to Action

In light of these escalating challenges, the Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU) is urgently calling on international organizations, human rights advocates, and UN agencies to act swiftly to safeguard Palestinian farmers and ensure a secure olive harvest by the following actions:

• Sanctions on the Israeli Occupation: Advocate for targeted sanctions against Israel for its support of settler violence and financial backing of attacks on farmers.
• Global Awareness and Accountability: Bring international attention to the violence facing Palestinian farmers, demanding accountability and protection of their rights.
• Sanctions on Settler Institutions: Impose sanctions on settler leaders and any organizations or entities enabling or funding settler violence, ensuring those responsible for attacks on farmers are held to account.

A Battle for Livelihood and Dignity

The struggles faced during the olive harvest speak to a larger fight for survival. Olive trees, covering nearly 50% of the West Bank’s agricultural land, are symbols of resilience and an enduring connection to the land. Yet settler violence, farmland damages, and impunity—where 90% of settler violence cases go unindicted—turn the harvest into a struggle for existence.

The PFU calls on the global community to stand in solidarity with Palestinian farmers—to make this year’s harvest one not of fear and destruction, but of hope, resilience, and the survival of a centuries-old tradition. Together, we can protect the olive harvest, uphold Palestinian heritage, and ensure a future where farmers can cultivate their land in peace.