World · Middle East · 6 hrs ago
Warnings of settlers repeatedly interrupt Palestinian olive harvest in West Bank
In Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank, Amal Abu Awad repeatedly paused her olive harvest on Sunday after volunteers saw Israeli settlers approaching.
The harvest is an important source of income and part of Palestinian social life.
Settler attacks have disrupted harvesting in rural areas across the West Bank, according to local sources and non-governmental organizations.
They have reported hundreds of attacks in recent days and dozens of people injured.
The organizations say violence and intimidation are being used to drive Palestinians from their land.
Abu Awad and other residents faced warnings while trying to collect olives, and local volunteers helped watch for approaching settlers.
Amal Abu Awad repeatedly stopped harvesting olives in Turmus Ayya on October 18 after local volunteers warned that Israeli settlers were approaching.
Settler attacks and warnings have disrupted the olive harvest, an important source of income for Palestinians.
Local sources and non-governmental organizations reported hundreds of settler attacks across rural areas of the West Bank in recent days.
The reports describe injuries and damage to vehicles, buildings and livestock.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the seriousness of reports about recent incidents, calling them part of a coordinated campaign to smear Israel.
- Who
- Palestinian olive harvesters, including Amal Abu Awad, and Israeli settlers.
- What
- Warnings of approaching settlers repeatedly interrupted Abu Awad’s olive harvest. Reports also describe attacks disrupting harvests across the West Bank.
- When
- Abu Awad’s harvest was interrupted on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The harvest began at the end of September.
- Where
- Turmus Ayya and other rural areas of the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- Local volunteers warned harvesters that settlers were approaching. Le Monde reports that NGOs describe settlers’ aim as driving Palestinians from their land.
Palestinian sources and NGOs
Benjamin Netanyahu
Nature of incidents
Palestinian sources and NGOs
Local sources and NGOs reported hundreds of settler attacks and injuries in rural areas of the West Bank.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu questioned the seriousness of reports about recent incidents.
Interpretation of reports
Palestinian sources and NGOs
NGOs described settler methods as intended to drive Palestinians from their land.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu suggested reports were part of a coordinated campaign to smear Israel.
The local olive harvest began in the occupied West Bank.
Le Monde reported that vehicles were set on fire and buildings vandalized, while livestock was poisoned, stolen or slaughtered.
American photojournalist Heidi Levine was assaulted and injured, according to Le Monde.
A delegation of Belgian, Polish and French diplomats participating in the harvest in Taybeh was attacked, according to Le Monde.
Amal Abu Awad repeatedly halted her harvest in Turmus Ayya after local volunteers warned of approaching settlers.
- Harvest location
- Turmus Ayya, West Bank
- Harvester
- Amal Abu Awad, 62
- Harvest interruption
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Reported attacks
- Several hundred across rural areas of the West Bank in a few days, according to local sources and NGOs
- Election date
- Israel’s parliamentary elections were upcoming on October 27
3 sources
What people are saying
a coordinated campaign to smear Israel