Israeli human rights group, a rabbinic voice within Jewish tradition
Israeli rights activists aiding Palestinians in Jannatah near Bethlehem have faced violence as settlers target solidarity efforts. Journalists accompanying the group have reported injuries, property damage, and intimidation as outposts are dismantled and rebuilt amid ongoing tension ahead of elections.
A wave of attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank targets olive groves during the harvest, with dozens of incidents reported. Rabbis and officials are responding to a controversial ruling by Dov Lior that Palestinians’ olives may be harvested by Jews to demonstrate land ownership. The olive harvest season has intensified violence, with thousands of trees damaged and significant financial losses for farmers.
Around 80 international volunteers and rabbis have been detained by Israeli forces while harvesting olives near Nahalin, west of Bethlehem. Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional nominee from New York, has been released with a warning; dozens of others — including US, British and Canadian citizens — have remained held while police and the military review whether the harvest lacked required coordination.