Israeli forces and colonists attack olive harvesters west of Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM: Israeli occupation forces and colonists attacked on Friday Palestinian olive harvesters and forced them out of their lands in the town of Battir, west of Bethlehem. One of the landowners, Ghassan Eliyan, told WAFA that the occupation forces and the colonists attacked the olive pickers and activists from the "Fighters for Peace" movement, which organized a volunteer day to support local farmers. Forces beat up the farmers and attacked them with sound bombs, causing cuts and bruises to several people. Several activists were also detained by the forces. Israeli forces and colonists forced Palestinian landowners to leave their property, citing the presence of media and activists. The Palestinian coordinator of the "Fighters for Peace" movement, Jamil al-Qassas, said: "We are here to help Palestinian landowners and strengthen their resilience in the face of the rampant colonial onslaught." Since the beginning of the olive harvest season, Palestinian farmers have been subjected to almost daily attac ks by colonists, involving physical assaults, property destruction, the forcible expulsion of farmers at gunpoint, the release of livestock onto their land and crop theft. The olive harvest season is crucial for thousands of Palestinian families, many of whom rely on it for their livelihood. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA