As the olive harvest commences this month, the outlook is grim.
A number of forces are converging in real time: a poor harvest, soaring local prices, and a fragile economy already on the brink, all dealing a harsh blow to farmers who are contending with so much.
At the same time, farmers are being blocked from accessing their groves by the occupation military or the threat of settler violence. Many have found their groves vandalised and thousands of olive trees uprooted before they could even begin the harvest.
In Al-Mughayyir, a village near Ramallah, more than 3,000 olive trees were bulldozed by Israeli forces, part of a broader pattern of destruction. Similarly, Deir Ballout has been targeted once again. It’s where, in 2021, Zaytoun customers helped plant 2,000 olive trees with the Palestine Fair Trade Association to replace those previously destroyed by Israeli forces.
And in Sanour, home to Haj Bashir, the chairman of the Palestine Fair Trade Association whose story we’ve shared in past newsletters, the encroachment is growing. After years of being spared, settler activity is now on the rise in the area around his village.
Across the West Bank, an increasing number of olive groves are now inaccessible, cut off by expanding settlements, military checkpoints, and gates erected to block entry and exit.
In this climate, your support matters more than ever. The olive tree is Palestine’s ancient lifeline, and your solidarity helps keep it alive.
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