UN Warns of 'Most Dangerous' Olive Harvest amid Israeli Settler Attacks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UN Human Rights Council special rapporteurs have warned that farmers in the occupied West Bank are facing unprecedented risks during this year's olive harvest, citing increasing violence from Israeli settlers.
In a media release, the rapporteurs stated that the current olive season is "the most dangerous ever" for West Bank farmers due to attacks by Israeli settlers.
“The intimidation of farmers, restriction of access to lands, severe harassment, and attacks by Israeli armed settlers and occupation forces further undermine the food sovereignty of Palestinian families and are yet another attack on Palestinian self-determination,” the statement said.
The experts urged Israel to focus on dismantling settlements, citing the International Court of Justice's ruling on July 19, 2024, and the General Assembly's reaffirmation on September 18, 2024.
“Israel is under international legal obligation to first and foremost end their occupation of Palestinian land, which amounts to annexation including through racial segregation and apartheid, immediately cease all new settlement activities, and evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory,” the rapporteurs emphasized.
They further stressed that Israel must provide reparations for the damage caused by its actions.
“It is also under the obligation to provide full reparation for the damage caused by its human rights violations to all persons concerned, including by returning land, and allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes,” the release concluded.
