Executive Summary
This report details the outcomes of preparatory workshops for the 2026 West Bank olive harvest, identifying 123 hotspot communities facing protection and food security risks. Escalating settler violence, movement restrictions, and land access issues threaten Palestinian farmers' livelihoods and safety. The report outlines key risks and recommends strengthening protective presence, integrating response efforts, and ensuring timely funding.
Why It Matters
This document highlights the severe impact of geopolitical conflict and occupation on civilian livelihoods and safety, providing critical insights into the challenges faced by Palestinian farmers in the West Bank. It is relevant for understanding the humanitarian consequences of ongoing tensions and the need for international intervention.
Key Takeaways
- 123 hotspot communities in the West Bank are identified as facing significant protection and food security risks during the 2026 olive harvest due to settler violence and access restrictions.
Source evidence · PDF page 2
The analysis began with 178 communities that experienced at least one documented settler-violence incident during the olive harvest seasons from 2020 to 2025. An initial analytical baseline of 83 communities was reviewed through three regional workshops, reconciled against updated evidence and subsequently verified by FSS for olive-cultivation and livelihood relevance.
- Restricted access to agricultural land, compounded by settler violence and military presence, is a primary concern, leading to crop losses, eroded livelihoods, and increased displacement risks.
Source evidence · PDF page 3
Restricted or denied access to agricultural land was repeatedly identified across the three regional workshops as one of the most widespread protection concerns across the West Bank. Movement restrictions prevent or delay farmers from reaching their land during a time-sensitive harvest and are particularly concerning where access is already affected by settler violence, military presence and settlement expansion.
- The report calls for urgent action from Member States and donors to ensure safe access, protect farmers from violence, safeguard agricultural assets, and strengthen accountability and funding for humanitarian responses.
Source evidence · PDF page 7
Member States, donors and other relevant stakeholders are urgently called upon to: 1. Ensure safe, timely and meaningful access to agricultural land Farmers must be able to access their land safely, predictably and for sufficient periods to harvest and undertake essential agricultural activities.
Strategic Relevance
The report underscores the humanitarian and economic impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically detailing how occupation policies and settler actions directly undermine Palestinian agricultural livelihoods and contribute to instability. This has implications for regional security and international diplomatic efforts.