Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank are increasingly encroaching on farmers’ land, causing fear and destruction. Palestinian farmers are experiencing daily incursions and violence from Israeli settlers, as well as witnessing violence in nearby urban areas. The Israeli army has intensified raids, leading to casualties and injuries. The fear of having their homes and land stolen is a constant worry for the farmers and their families.
The olive industry, a symbol of Palestinians’ attachment to their land, is being particularly targeted. Israeli settlers have been stealing from, attacking, and destroying olive groves, farmland, and property in the West Bank for years, but the incursions have intensified recently. Farmers are unable to tend to their land or work due to curfews and restricted movement imposed by the Israeli army and armed settlers.
The situation has led to an increase in poverty and a decline in the Palestinian economy. Palestinian farmers are facing a crisis as their livelihoods are threatened, and they live in constant fear for their safety and the safety of their families. The price of essential agricultural resources has risen sharply since the escalation of raids, making life even more difficult for the farmers.
The Israeli settlers’ aggressive behavior has forced some farmers to flee their land, with little hope for return. Despite the hardship, the farmers remain determined to hold on to their land and their livelihoods.