Olive harvest begins
Photo: AFP
West Bank: Palestinian olive groves closed off to Israelis
IDF fears additional settler violence during olive harvest; 3,000 Palestinians allowed entry to Seam Line area olive groves
The olive harvest in the West Bank region commenced Sunday morning amid heightened tensions between the Jewish settlers and the Palestinians. As part of its effort to prevent additional violence, the IDF has closed off Palestinian olive groves to Israelis.
The harvest is expected to continue through December.
Palestinian olive harvest (Photo: AP)
In the framework of the preparations, Civil Administration officials held talks with their Palestinian counterparts, leaders of villages and Palestinians working in the olive oil industry. During the meetings, the sides agreed on a timetable for the harvest.
Israel has permitted the entry of some 3,000 Palestinians to olive groves located in the Seam Line area ahead of the harvest.
The most recent clash between settlers and Palestinians took place last week, when right-wing activists set fire to an olive grove belonging to the village of Kadum.
During the incident settler leader Daniela Weiss was arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers who were dispatched to the site.
