Israeli bulldozers destroyed scores of olive trees in Palestinian villages near Jenin on Wednesday, weeks before the crucial olive harvest season. This latest operation targeted farmland in Ajjah and Zububa, close to the separation barrier, as part of an ongoing campaign of uprooting olive groves across the occupied West Bank. The destruction directly impacts families who rely on the harvest for their livelihood and cultural heritage.
Zaki Jaradat, head of Zububa Village Council, reported that Israeli forces have uprooted over 2,950 olive trees across more than 300 dunams of agricultural land since the start of the year. These actions precede one of the most vital agricultural seasons for Palestinians, a period deeply tied to their cultural and social life.
Fuad Yahya Maqalda, whose family has cultivated olive trees on their land for generations, watched the destruction unfold. From his rooftop overlooking the family’s groves, he saw Israeli bulldozers remove trees that had stood for generations. “We are unable to do anything,” Maqalda stated, expressing profound helplessness. “We cannot understand the intentions behind this uprooting. The occupation uprooted olive trees that have stood on our land since the time of our grandparents.” He detailed the extent of the damage, noting that 111 olive trees were removed from one plot and another 215 from a second, just as the harvest approached.
Tareq Ighbariya, spokesperson for the Palestinian Commission Against the Wall and Settlements in Jenin, highlighted a pattern of excessive destruction. He explained that military orders often specify a certain area for clearing, but the actual damage on the ground frequently exceeds these official boundaries. In some instances, bulldozers enter agricultural land and begin clearing it without any prior military order, according to Ighbariya. Similar operations have targeted around 300 dunams of farmland elsewhere in the Jenin governorate in recent months, with assessments ongoing to determine the full extent of the destruction.
The olive harvest provides a vital source of income for thousands of families across the occupied West Bank. Beyond its economic importance, the groves represent generations of Palestinian connection to their land. Farmers face increasing restrictions and attacks during this season, including settler violence, vandalism, crop theft, and difficulties accessing their farmland, particularly near illegal Israeli settlements and military zones. This makes the harvest a period of heightened uncertainty, with families fearing loss of access or direct attacks.
Impunity for Settler Violence
In a rare development, Israeli authorities on Thursday charged Israeli settler activist Yinon Levi with reckless homicide in the fatal shooting of Palestinian Awdah Hathleen, which occurred one year ago in the West Bank. The indictment also included charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage. This marks the first time since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack—now approaching its third anniversary—that an Israeli has been indicted for the death of a Palestinian in the West Bank.
However, this indictment stands in stark contrast to the broader reality of impunity. The Israeli rights group B’Tselem reported that in the period since October 7, 2023, Israeli settlers and soldiers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians in the territory. Another Israeli rights group found that only three percent of cases opened over Israelis’ violence against Palestinians ultimately lead to conviction. This systemic lack of accountability perpetuates a dual legal system, effectively shielding settlers from justice.
Systematic Land Dispossession
The destruction of olive groves is not an isolated incident; it is a continuous process of land confiscation and dispossession. The targeting of generational farmland, often without clear justification or exceeding stated military orders, serves to fragment Palestinian communities and undermine their economic viability. This ongoing campaign, coupled with the systemic failure to prosecute settler violence, underscores the realities of military occupation and settler-colonial expansion in the occupied West Bank.