158 Israeli Settler Attacks Disrupt 2025 West Bank Olive Harvest

The 2025 olive harvest season in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has been marked by a significant escalation of violence and attacks against Palestinian farmers by Israeli settlers, often under the protection or acquiescence of Israeli security forces. Reports indicate at least 158 assaults on olive harvesters since early October, including physical attacks on individuals such as the beating of 55-year-old Afaf Abu Alia, who sustained serious injuries. Israeli settlers have also destroyed olive groves by burning, cutting down trees, and vandalizing equipment, while Palestinian farmers face increasing restrictions and denial of access to their lands. The United Nations has highlighted a 13% rise in settler attacks in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, with settler violence described as skyrocketing in scale and frequency. Despite efforts by Israeli police and military to respond, many attacks go unpunished, and the violence is exacerbated by the expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts deemed illegal even under Israeli law. The olive tree remains a powerful symbol of Palestinian resilience amid these ongoing tensions and human rights concerns.