The Times of Israel

Citing security, IDF appears to sharply accelerate uprooting of West Bank olive trees

Sun, 24 May 2026 06:04:52 +0000

Palestinians and activists say the military is razing trees on private land at an unprecedented pace, questioning whether claims they provide cover for attacks justify the widespread campaign

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Smotrich announces uprooting of 3,000 trees planted by Palestinians in northern West Bank

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:27:00 +0000

Civil Administration says trees' removal, latest in a series of such actions, will enable the creation of a new settlement; 3 Palestinians reportedly injured in settler attack

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IDF uproots thousands of West Bank olive trees after Palestinian shooting attack

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 11:48:55 +0000

Military denies move is collective punishment, after commander vowed al-Mughayyir will 'pay heavy price' for resident shooting at Israelis last week

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Experts unite to protect what could be the last wild olive trees in Israel – or the world

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 09:14:25 +0000

The largest known population of the ancient plants grows on fossilized sand ridges in the north and could prove helpful for the olive industry during climate change, researchers say

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Tranquil day of olive harvesting belies mounting difficulties for Palestinian growers

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 11:05:36 +0000

Severe restrictions on movement and intense settler violence are curtailing the ability of farmers to cultivate their land and reap a major source of income

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Impact of olive oil shortage on Israel could have been averted, industry chief says

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:17:20 +0000

Head of olive division at Israel Plant Council accuses government of abandoning farmers, who could make Israel a global olive oil power

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Activist Israeli rabbi helps Palestinian farmers in West Bank facing settler violence

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 22:00:02 +0000

Arik Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights condemns Oct. 7 massacre, while saying Israelis 'not prepared to distinguish between Palestinian terrorists, terrorized Palestinians'

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With olives pressed and picked, local farmers hope consumers discover oil in Israel

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:52:52 +0000

Olive growers and oil producers seek greater exposure for their product, cultivated and pressed in small batches but suffering from competition with cheaper, lower-quality imports

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Palestinians say settlers destroy dozens of olive trees, harass farmers

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:43:22 +0000

Palestinian landowner claims 116 olive trees destroyed on his land outside town of Turmus Ayya. Video footage shows settler youths harassing, taunting Palestinian farmers

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Elderly activist beaten by settlers: Cruelty happening in those hills all the time

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:42:04 +0000

Hagar Gefen, 70, says she was attacked in the West Bank on October 18 for taking footage of extremists' onslaught against Palestinian olive harvesters

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Study: World’s first cultivated fruit trees planted 7,000 years ago in Jordan Valley

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 03:01:30 +0000

Analysis of charcoal from Tel Tsaf dig reveals olive and fig tree wood, indicating first examples of orchards in an advanced, wealthy society

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Rewriting history, evidence of olive consumption 6,600 years ago found off Haifa

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 02:38:50 +0000

Discovery of pits in ancient submerged structures predates previously known use of olives for food by 4,000 years

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Olive voted as national tree to mark Tu Bishvat

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:10:04 +0000

With arbor ardor running high, tens of thousands of Israelis choose symbol of peace in KKL-JNF survey, helping it beat out Tabor, palm and lowly fig

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Ex-chief West Bank land inspector planted groves on Palestinian ground

Thu, 28 May 2020 10:49:49 +0000

Former head of Defense Ministry body that supervises land use grew olive trees on the plots while serving in the post 30 years ago, continues to work them

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Palestinian olive groves vandalized amid spate of settler hate crimes

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 13:40:10 +0000

Rights group says nearly 100 trees on privately owned farms in northern West Bank chopped into pieces, causing severe damage during annual harvest

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