Every year, EAPPI joins Palestinian farmers in the olive harvest.  Our protective presence helps farmers access lands near settlements or in areas cut off by the wall and also helps deter acts of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their olive trees.

In this photo essay, we show various views of olive harvest in Palestine.

EAPPI observers participate in the olive harvest in Susiya. Often our presence allows farmers to pick their olives in places under threat of settler violence. Photo EAPPI/B. Rubenson.

Olive trees hold a strong symbolic value in Palestinian culture. Not only do they represent livelihood and community bonds, but also olive branches are a symbol of peace. Photo EAPPI/R. Kolehmainen.

A symbol of peace. Photo EAPPI/A. Aguilar.

EAPPI also joined olive farmers in Far’ata, in the district of Qalqilya. Photo EAPPI/A. Aguilar.

The olive harvest in Palestine is a community event. Over lunch, the farmers and volunteers strengthen their bonds of friendship. Photo EAPPI/ A. Aguilar.

Abu Ra’ed, a farmer in Kafr al Labad makes tea for the harvesters. Photo EAPPI/A. Aguilar.

The idyllic atmosphere of the olive harvest is often interrupted by the presence of the Israeli army. In Kafr al Labad, near Tulkarm, Israeli soldiers watch the olive harvest. Photo EAPPI/A. Aguilar.

Sadly, a wave of Israeli settler attacks marred the olive harvest this year, as it does many years. Here Israeli settlers set fire to a field of olive trees in Jalud. Photo EAPPI/F. Djurklou.

A boy avoids inhaling smoke after Israeli settlers set fire to a field of olive trees in Jalud on October 9. Photo EAPPI/O. Devine.

Again, in Qaryut, Israeli settlers cut the branches from 60 olive trees. Photo EAPPI.

Destruction of olive trees is devastating for the Palestinian community. “The trees are a very important income for us,” described Wsafe Jeaber, one of the Qaryut residents, “You don’t know how much I cried when I saw the trees; only wood and no olives. These trees feed me, my husband and three children.” Photo EAPPI.

An Israeli activist from Ta’ayush plays with a 3 year old Palestinian boy during the olive harvest in Susiya. A reflection of the peace to come. Photo EAPPI/M. Ward.

Once the picking is done, an EA helps a farmer gather the fruit of their labor. Photo EAPPI/A. Aguilar.

An EA helps clean and gather olives. Photo EAPPI/C. Jones.

Despite the difficulties of occupation, the olive harvest remains an important and joyful cultural event in Palestine. 3 boys enjoy a photo break during the olive harvest in Beitillu, near Ramallah. Photo EAPPI.