Israeli soldiers attack Palestinian farmers harvesting olive
In an attempt to sabotage the olive harvest season, Israeli soldiers force farmers to leave land
NABLUS, November 02, 2019 (WAFA) — Israeli soldiers attacked Palestinian olive picking farmers in an area located between the villages of Burin and Huwwara, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and prevented them from continuing with the harvest, reported local sources.
They told WAFA that soldiers prevented the farmers from harvesting in the fields located near the illegal settlement of Yitzhar, built on land seized from the two villages.
The soldiers threatened the farmers that unless they leave their fields, they are going to unleash the settlers against them.
Settlers often attack Palestinian farmers in these areas, cut or burn their trees and steal their olive harvest, which is an important source of income for the farmers.
Burin village witnessed 12 attacks so far this harvest season from settlers and soldiers, while the nearby village of Qaryout witnessed 10 attacks.
Israel has declared more than 3500 dunums of agricultural Palestinian land in the Nablus district off s to their owners and farmers. The only way the farmers can reach their lands is after getting a special permit from the Israeli military, which the settlers do not honor, anyway.
Sometimes, Israeli and international volunteers accompany farmers to these hazardous areas during the olive harvest season to provide them with protection from attacks and to help the farmers in their work.
M.K.
