New York, Oct. 19 (Petra) — Independent UN experts on Monday urged
Israel to ensure the protection of Palestinian farmers in the
occupied West Bank from settler threats during the olive harvest
season.

Seven experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council stated that
Palestinian farmers face escalated violence, destruction, and
restrictions year after year. They emphasized that “the olive harvest
season should be a time when farmers safely and with dignity enjoy
the food and livelihoods provided by nature and their land, rather
than a season of fear, loss, violence, and destruction.”

The experts highlighted that olive trees take years to mature and
sustain families, noting that their destruction deprives households
of far more than a single season’s yield. They stressed that local
food systems, cultural practices, and ways of life are rights
belonging to the Palestinian people, alongside their right to food
and food sovereignty.

Furthermore, the experts stated that Israel must ensure its forces
protect Palestinian farmers from settler attacks, refrain from
interfering with farmers’ access to their land, and comply with its
obligations under international law.

They reaffirmed that as an occupying power, Israel bears an
international legal obligation to end its occupation of Palestinian
territory, immediately cease new settlement activities, evacuate
settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and provide full
reparations for damages resulting from its violations.

The experts called on the international community, particularly
influential states, to exert maximum pressure to protect Palestinian
civilians, halt and reverse rapidly expanding land annexation
policies and practices, and ensure accountability for decades of
rights violations against Palestinians.

//Petra// AF