Israeli settlers promote olive harvesting on social media as Palestinians face attacks in the West Bank
The UN humanitarian office OCHA has recorded nearly 200 attacks linked to the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank this year. Meanwhile, some Israeli settlers are posting idyllic harvest videos online and urging others to join them.
The olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, where Israel maintains settlements considered illegal under international law, is once again marked by violence against Palestinians. On October 15, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) counted nearly 200 attacks tied to the harvest that caused injuries or property damage. That already exceeds the 185 incidents recorded in 2025, according to a report by the French international broadcaster France 24.
A idyllic image online
The harvest officially began on October 15 and runs until the end of November. In recent years the period has coincided with a rise in violence by the Israeli army and settlers against Palestinians. Many Palestinians started picking two weeks early this year to reduce the risk.
Meanwhile, some Israelis post videos of a calm, cheerful harvest and invite followers to join. One post from September 28 names the illegal settlement of David Kela and calls on people to "showcase the land of Israel". Settler Elisha Yered urged people to "reinforce the Jewish presence" on the land and to learn to make oil at a mill in the Itamar settlement.
Palestinian accounts
Omar (not his real name), who lives in the Hebron Governorate, says that on June 16 about a dozen settlers entered his olive grove, beat the trees with bats and brought in around 200 sheep. The army has since barred him from the land, declaring it a military zone.
Yair Dvir, spokesperson for the Israeli rights group B'Tselem, says the army often takes part in or allows attacks, and that clearing of olive groves is increasing. Mohammed (not his real name), head of an agricultural committee in a Palestinian village, says settlers wearing keffiyehs have also attacked locals.
Economic losses
According to OCHA, in 2019 more than 10 million olive trees provided income for 80,000 to 100,000 families. Restrictions and violence around the 2025 harvest cost the Palestinian economy over $46 million. This year's attacks have so far killed one person, injured more than 120 and damaged or destroyed over 2,500 trees or saplings. The Israeli army says it takes necessary measures when the harvest is disrupted, and that most friction occurs in areas where coordination is not required or security forces are absent.
