World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
14 volunteers detained while helping Palestinians harvest olives in the West Bank
Israeli authorities detained 14 international volunteers near Kafr Ni'ma in the West Bank on November 6.
The group was helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives, a seasonal task that has faced threats and violence from settlers.
Among those detained was Italian councillor Giorgia Lombardi, along with at least five other Italians.
Green party politician Angelo Bonelli said settlers had attacked Palestinians and volunteers, and that police and soldiers detained the volunteers and took their passports.
Italy's Foreign Ministry said it was checking the identities and number of Italians detained and working to secure the release of some of them.
The group was held at a police station, with transfer to Ben Gurion airport and deportation expected on the following day.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy was following the case and hoped the volunteers would return as soon as possible.
Israeli authorities detained 14 international volunteers near Kafr Ni'ma in the West Bank while they were helping Palestinians harvest olives.
At least six of the volunteers were reported to be Italian, including La Spezia city councillor Giorgia Lombardi.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the volunteers had been doing agricultural work and that Italy was following the case.
Angelo Bonelli said Palestinians had been beaten by settlers and the volunteers had been attacked before Israeli forces detained them.
Israel said it would deport the 14 activists, while a Palestinian group said settlers had held them before their arrest.
- Who
- Israeli authorities detained 14 international volunteers, including Italian councillor Giorgia Lombardi.
- What
- The volunteers were detained while helping Palestinians harvest olives.
- When
- The detention was reported on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Near Kafr Ni'ma in the West Bank, about 23 kilometres from Ramallah.
- Why
- They were helping with the olive harvest. Israeli police said some detainees supported BDS and sought to produce anti-Israel media campaigns.
Volunteer supporters
Israeli police
Reason for detention
Volunteer supporters
Bonelli said the volunteers were peacefully helping Palestinians harvest olives and should be released.
Israeli police
Police said some detainees supported BDS and sought to produce anti-Israel media campaigns.
Account of events
Volunteer supporters
Bonelli said settlers beat Palestinians and attacked the volunteers before Israeli forces detained them.
Israeli police
A Palestinian group said settlers held the activists before they were arrested.
Israeli authorities detained 14 international volunteers near Kafr Ni'ma while they helped Palestinians harvest olives.
The group was expected to be transferred to the Ben Gurion Airport centre for deportation procedures, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.
The Times of Israel reported that Israel would deport the 14 activists.
- Detained volunteers
- 14 international activists
- Location
- Kafr Ni'ma, about 23 kilometres from Ramallah
- Italian volunteers
- At least 6, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano
- Named Italian detainee
- Giorgia Lombardi, La Spezia city councillor
- Planned outcome
- Deportation, reported by the Times of Israel
4 sources
Israel to deport 14 activists arrested in West Bank during Palestinian olive harvest
Israele arresta la consigliera di Avs Giorgia Lombardi insieme ad altri 13 volontari in Cisgiordania. Tajani: “Non hanno fatto nulla”
Tajani conferma: italiani fermati in Cisgiordania, non hanno fatto nulla
What people are saying
They did nothing, they were only there doing agricultural work in the olive harvest, and we hope they can be sent back to Italy as soon as possible
It is not acceptable that those who peacefully help Palestinians are arrested while those who use violence remain unpunished