‘Ominous start’ to West Bank olive harvest amid settler attacks

The use of live ammunition, arson and the destruction of centuries-old olive trees have marked the opening weeks of this year’s harvest in the occupied West Bank.At least 160 Israeli settler attacks linked to the olive harvest were recorded in the first two weeks of October, according to the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) – often under the protection of, or with the participation of, Israeli forces.Settlers have also damaged Palestinian property and stolen harvested olives and farm equipment. Last Friday, they assaulted a Washington Post photojournalist covering the harvest and the following day attacked European diplomats visiting a Palestinian community.On Thursday, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory urged states and donors to go beyond condemnation and take urgent action to protect Palestinian communities as the season gets off to an “ominous start”.Cut off from their land Thousands of Palestinian farmers are unable to reach their olive trees because of severe Israeli movement restrictions, which have dramatically worsened over the past three years. Meanwhile, according to OHCHR, settlers are being allowed onto Palestinians’ land to harve...