West Bank Olive Harvest - Why it Matters

Olive trees in Palestine are more than symbolic - they are the very lifeblood of the economy. Each year during the harvest season, the West Bank is the scene of multiple flashpoints in which Israeli settlers use violence to prevent Palestinians from accessing their olive groves.

Yesterday, Ha'aretz reports that a settler wounded an Israeli soldier who tried to guard Palestinian villagers harvesting their olive crop.

In Qalqiliya, the Israeli army arrested an al-Watan film crew for filming the olive harvest.

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) reports on efforts by internationals to protect Palestinian farmers while harvesting, in the face of violence from settlers.

President Mahmoud Abbas denounces Israel for failing to prevent violence against Palestinians harvesting their own crops.

But what do israelis say about all this?

Ehud Barak, Israeli Minister of Defense: "I condemn these thugs who interfere with the olive harvest which constitutes an important sector of the Palestinian economy," Barak told Israel's army radio.

Settler leader Amos Harel: "The Israel Defense Forces and the police, in consultation with local Jews and Palestinians, have therefore begun coordinating times during which the army will protect both sides' security. But then, they said, the agitators arrived: Israeli and foreign "peace activists" who incite the Arabs not to accept the times that have been agreed on. When the Palestinians and their abettors approach the boundaries of settlements without IDF security, clashes erupt, which are then reported by a media eager to accuse the settlers."

It's sad that such a venerable peace symbol has become the hallmark of violence.