Olive Harvest Challenged by Violence in Palestine

The 2024 olive harvest season is proving to be exceptionally difficult for Palestinian farmers due to ongoing violence and resource shortages, particularly in Gaza, where 68% of agricultural land has been damaged, leading to a predicted production drop from 40,000 tons to just 15,000 tons. In Gaza, farmers like Rami Abu Asad express fear while harvesting, as they remain alert to potential bombings, with the death toll in Gaza reportedly exceeding 42,000. In the West Bank, farmers face increasing intimidation from Israeli settlers, with at least 32 documented attacks and significant destruction of olive trees this harvest season. Tragically, violence escalated with the shooting of a Palestinian woman, Hanan Salameh, by Israeli security forces while she was picking olives. The impact of the conflict is not only economic but also cultural, as olive harvesting is a significant tradition for Palestinian communities. As prices for olive oil rise amidst these challenges, consumers in Israel face dilemmas over supporting local products versus opting for cheaper imports.