World · Middle East · 9 hrs ago
Former Israeli military officials help Palestinian farmers harvest olives
Former Israeli military officials joined Palestinian farmers to harvest olives near Qusra in the occupied West Bank.
The group is about 30 people, including six former generals, and says it organized in response to increased violence by Israeli settlers.
The farmers face attacks that can prevent them reaching their land during the olive harvest.
Landowner Nimr Nazzal said he could not access his olives without the former officials’ help and accused the Israeli military of protecting settlers.
Yesh Din recorded 180 attacks on olive harvesters in 35 days, and said the military was present in more than 23% of the settler-violence cases it recorded.
Palestinians say the military often responds late or supports settlers, while the military denies this and says it works to maintain security.
The former officials say the violence harms Israel’s standing abroad and some also oppose annexation of the West Bank; the sources give no further next step.
Former senior Israeli military officials joined Palestinian farmers harvesting olives near Qusra in the occupied West Bank.
The officials said they were showing solidarity amid increased violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Former Major General Eyal Ben-Reuven said he organized a group of about 30 former senior military officials, including six generals.
Landowner Nimr Nazzal said settler attacks would otherwise make it impossible for him to reach his olives.
Yesh Din reported 180 physical attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters during the first 35 days of the harvest season.
The Israeli military says it condemns violence and works to maintain security, while Palestinians and former officials described soldiers as aiding settlers.
- Who
- Former senior Israeli military officials and Palestinian farmers.
- What
- The officials helped farmers harvest olives as a gesture of solidarity amid settler violence.
- When
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Near Qusra in the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- The officials said they were responding to increased settler violence and supporting Palestinian farmers.
Former Israeli military officials and Palestinian farmers
Israeli military
Military conduct
Former Israeli military officials and Palestinian farmers
Former officials and Palestinians said the military enabled or aided settler attacks.
Israeli military
The military says it condemns violence and operates to maintain security in the West Bank.
Status of the West Bank
Former Israeli military officials and Palestinian farmers
The articles describe the West Bank as occupied and settlements as illegal under international law, as viewed by UN bodies and most countries.
Israeli military
Israel rejects that view and considers the territory disputed rather than occupied.
Ben-Reuven began organizing a group of about 30 senior military officials, including six generals, after settler violence increased.
Former Israeli military officials helped Palestinian farmers harvest olives near Qusra.
Yesh Din reported 180 physical attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters.
- Officials in the group
- About 30, including six generals
- Location
- Near Qusra, occupied West Bank
- Attacks reported
- 180 physical attacks on olive harvesters
- Reporting period
- 35 days since the harvest season began
- Settler violence cases with military present
- More than 23% of cases recorded by Yesh Din
3 sources
What people are saying
When I see what is going on here, when I see these guys come... and hit women and kids, it reminds me of stories from my parents from the time when the Jewish people suffered
Occupation is the main problem of Israeli society. I believe we must deal with it, we cannot ignore it. We must try to solve it together with the Palestinians
The army is protecting the settlers
Strategically, tactically, it's creating problems for the state of Israel in the West and the United States