First day of the olive harvest campaign marked by settlers torching trees
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First day of the olive harvest campaign marked by settlers torching trees

Kufr Qadum was attacked by settlers who invaded the village olive groves where farmers were preparing for the harvest. They came from Kedumim Settlement, built on stolen village land, and torched 25 – 30 olive trees located to the north of the village. They stationed themselves there, effectively barring the farmers from reaching the trees to extinguish the fire. The farmers and a group of 15 volunteers who had come to help in the harvest were forced to watch the trees and fruit being destroyed.

Other groups of volunteers coordinated by the Stop the Wall Campaign have worked during the day in the villages of Asira al-Qibliya, Madama and Burin. These villages, located in Nablus District, have all suffered attacks by settlers during the last weeks. The mayors of the three villages have presented the local situation to the almost 60 volunteers, describing the harassment by the settlers, the Occupation forces and the continuous theft of land as well as the daily resistance of the villages. The olive harvest, during which Palestinian students traditionally volunteer where needed, has become a concrete act of solidarity and an educational experience.