Agricultural relief crews and volunteers in Salfit Governorate monitored a series of repeated attacks committed by occupation soldiers and settlers against farmers during the olive harvest season.

Farmers in the villages of Yasuf, Askaka, Kafr ad-Dik, Kifl Hares and Marada, in addition to the city of Salfit, were subjected to a series of attacks. They included beating and shooting at farmers, injuring a number of them, stealing crops, and cutting down trees, with the aim of intimidating them, expelling them, and preventing them from carrying out their work of picking olives under the protection of the occupation army.

It is noteworthy that the farmers of Salfit Governorate are repeatedly exposed to attacks, which have increased in frequency during this season. Salfit Governorate is considered one of the largest olive oil producing governorates in Palestine, and the area of its lands planted with fruitful olive trees is estimated at about 43 thousand dunams, most of which are located in areas classified (C) and close to Settlements and bypass roads.

Salfit Governorate suffers from the encroachment of settlement projects, and its agricultural lands are constantly subjected to bulldozing and confiscation for the benefit of settlement construction. It is also exposed to attacks from settlers who periodically steal crops, break and burn trees, and shoot at farmers under the protection of occupation soldiers.

It is noteworthy that the olive sector in Palestine is the largest agricultural sector, and more than 110,000 Palestinian families make a living from this sector. It is also considered one of the traditional sectors that distinguish the Palestinian people through the means and methods of harvesting, which usually produce high-quality oil varieties that are marketed and consumed locally. And internationally.

Agricultural Relief considers that the conflict based on the olive tree, with its symbolism, is a conflict over land, and for this reason it organizes many campaigns and events during the olive season under the title “We Are With You Campaign” to help them and strengthen their steadfastness on their lands by mobilizing volunteers and distributing production inputs to them.