This year, more than ever, Palestinians are welcoming the start of the olive harvest season, which usually takes place in October and November, with fear and uncertainty, amid an unprecedented rise in attacks by Israeli settlers and forces.
The olive harvest is deeply rooted in Palestinian economic, cultural, and agricultural life and remains essential to the livelihoods of many families. More than 100,000 families depend on the harvest as a source of income.
Since the beginning of 2026, Palestinians have faced an average of six Israeli settler attacks every day, the highest level of settler violence recorded since monitoring began in 2006.
These attacks, in which Israeli forces either participate or provide protection, are making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to reach and work their agricultural lands, forcing many farmers to choose between risking their lives and leaving their olive trees unharvested.
Since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem in 1967, the olive harvest has been marked each year by intimidation, Israeli military restrictions, and settler violence, including physical attacks, the destruction of olive trees, and restrictions on access that prevent farmers from reaching their lands.
However, this year’s olive harvest season takes place just days before Israel’s elections, scheduled for 27 October, adding another layer of pressure on Palestinians as Israeli politicians compete to project increasingly far-right positions and policies toward Palestinians, with consequences that make their life extremely difficult .
Despite this, Palestinians continue to harvest their olive trees, turning the season into an act of resilience, belonging, and steadfastness.
