Uncertainty and Struggle: West Bank Farmers Face Growing Restrictions Ahead of Olive Harvest

Strategic Insights -

As the West Bank prepares for the annual olive harvest, thousands of Palestinian farmers are facing unprecedented risks to their livelihoods due to growing restrictions from Israeli forces and settlers. The olive harvest season, which runs from September to November, is a time of uncertainty and struggle for farmers who rely on the crop as their primary source of income. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been working with olive farmers and cooperatives to improve access to and management of land and water resources, but the situation remains dire.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thousands of Palestinian farmers face growing restrictions from Israeli forces and settlers, threatening their livelihoods and way of life.
  • The olive harvest season, which runs from September to November, is marked by uncertainty and struggle for farmers who rely on the crop as their primary source of income.
  • The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported olive farmers and cooperatives to improve access to and management of land and water resources, but the situation remains dire.
  • The restriction of access to tens of thousands of dunums of farmland and pasture has prevented Palestinians from accessing their lands, leading to the destruction of the local economy and the displacement of thousands of Palestinian herders and farmers.
  • The destruction of olive crops, olive harvesting equipment, and vehicles by settlers and the Israeli army has further exacerbated the situation.
  • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has concluded that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and that it is under an obligation to end its unlawful presence "as rapidly as possible".
  • The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has warned of escalating Israeli settler violence, with the acquiescence, support, and in some cases participation of Israeli forces.
  • The Israeli government's policy and legislative actions appear aimed at emptying certain areas of the West Bank of the Palestinian population, advancing the settlement enterprise, and consolidating the annexation of large parts of the West Bank.

Statistics:

  • 40,000 dunums of farmland and pasture have been restricted by Israeli forces and settlers, affecting tens of thousands of Palestinians (UN aid coordination office, OCHA).
  • Thousands of Palestinian herders and farmers have been displaced due to the restriction of access to their lands (UN human rights office, OHCHR).
  • The Israeli army has been responsible for the destruction of 25% of olive crops in the West Bank in the past year (UN human rights office, OHCHR).
  • Settler violence has resulted in the theft of olive harvesting equipment, vehicle vandalism, cutting down olive trees, and threats to farmers and herders (UN human rights office, OHCHR).
  • The olive harvest is worth approximately $1.5 billion to the Palestinian economy each year (UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO).
  • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has concluded that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and that it is under an obligation to end its unlawful presence "as rapidly as possible".

Sources:

  • M2 Communications (M2 PressWIRE, September 1, 2025).
  • United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  • United Nations aid coordination office (OCHA).
  • United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ).