Intensified Israeli Settler Violence Targets Palestinian Olive Harvest in the Occupied West Bank

Palestinian and UN officials have reported intensified Israeli settler violence targeting the Palestinian olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, despite ongoing attempts to bolster a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Afaf Abu Alia, a 55-year-old Palestinian woman, was hit on the head with a club by masked men on October 19, in an attack that has left her with a bruised eye and a sense of trauma. Since the harvest began in early October, there have been at least 158 attacks across the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC).

Key Takeaways:

• The olive harvest season has seen a 13% rise in settler attacks in the first two weeks of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with at least 158 attacks reported across the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
• The violence has intensified since the Hamas-led attacks in 2023, with settlers targeting olive trees as a symbol of Palestinian connection to the land.
• Activists and farmers say the Israeli army has abetted settler attacks, with the military not responding to a request for comment on the claim.
• The UN's Ajith Sunghay has described the situation as "settler violence has skyrocketed in scale and frequency, with the acquiescence, support, and in many cases participation, of Israeli security forces – and always with impunity".
• The Mateh Binyamin Regional Council has condemned "every instance of violence that occurs" in the area, but notes that settlers carry weapons "intended solely for self-defense".
• Olives are the backbone of Palestinian agriculture, accounting for around 8% of GDP and more than 60,000 jobs in the West Bank.
• A combination of military orders and settler violence has almost totally blocked access to olive groves, leading to significant economic losses and impacting the livelihoods of farmers.
• The CWRC reports that more than 15,000 trees have been attacked since October 2024.
• Activists and farmers rely on WhatsApp groups to send warnings about approaching settlers, and international volunteers have organized to protect farmers during the harvest.

Statistics:

• At least 158 attacks across the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the olive harvest began in early October.
• 13% rise in settler attacks in the first two weeks of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
• Over 15,000 trees attacked since October 2024, according to the CWRC.
• 17% increase in financial losses for West Bank farmers from the start of 2025 until mid-October, compared to the same period last year.
• Around 8% of GDP and more than 60,000 jobs in the West Bank are dependent on the olive industry.

Sources:

• Reuters, "Palestinian woman describes being attacked by masked men while picking olives in West Bank".
• UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, "Regular Update on the Olive Harvest Season".
• Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC), "Statistics on Settler Violence".
• Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, "Statement on Settler Violence".
• Reuters, "Israeli military said they cut down over 3,000 trees in the area 'to improve defenses'".
• Saudi Research and Publishing Co., "Palestinian activists and farmers manage WhatsApp groups to send warnings about approaching settlers".