Ramallah:The UN Human Rights Office has highlighted the attacks by Israeli colonists on the Palestinian olive harvest as a significant tool of displacement and dispossession. These attacks add to the daily challenges faced by Palestinian communities, whose rights are consistently under threat. The office also reported that colonists have damaged property and stolen harvested olives and farm equipment, urging states and donors to take immediate action to protect these communities.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recorded at least 160 colonist attacks related to the olive harvest in the West Bank during the first half of October. These incidents often occurred with the protection or participation of Israeli occupation forces. Additionally, the report noted assaults on a Washington Post photojournalist and European diplomats during their visit to a Palestinian village.
The UN Human Rights Office described the opening weeks of this year's olive harvest in the occupied West Bank as marked by violent colonist attacks, including live ammunition and arson. There has been significant destruction of centuries-old olive trees. The office emphasized the severe Israeli movement restrictions impacting thousands of Palestinian farmers' access to their trees, contrasting with the unrestricted access granted to colonists.
Ajith Sunghay, Head of the UN human rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, pointed out the symbolic importance of olive trees to the Palestinian people. He called for increased diplomatic field presence in high-risk communities and urged nations to press Israel for safe access to agricultural lands and protection from violence.
The UN Human Rights Office also appealed for timely funding from donors to support protective measures, legal assistance, food security, and livelihood support for the affected Palestinian communities.