Israeli settlers cut down dozens of olive trees this morning in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, following a similar attack last week, according to the Palestinian government-run news agency WAFA.
The olive harvest season begins this week, and many Palestinians make a living selling olives, especially due to the deteriorating economic situation in the West Bank. However, Israeli settlers frequently attempt to disrupt the harvest by attacking farmers and cutting down trees.
NBC News has reached out to Israeli authorities for comment.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreigners called the attacks on settlers “organized state terrorism” and a “violation” of the West Bank.
According to a WAFA report, settlers today attacked local farmers and olive pickers and forced them off their land under threat of violence. It was announced that the Israeli military was involved in the clash.
Israel says soldiers who witness settler violence must detain suspects and report incidents, but farmers report that soldiers often side with settlers.
Harvesting came to a near halt last year as Israeli troops and settlers prevented many Palestinians from accessing the land. Harvest suspensions have cost the West Bank $10 million, according to the Food Security Cluster, part of the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
