Business · Singapore Bureau
Israeli ex-military officers condemn settler violence, aid Palestinian farmers
A group of retired senior Israeli military officials demonstrated solidarity with Palestinian farmers in the West Bank on Tuesday, assisting with olive harvests as settler violence against Palestinians continues to escalate in the occupied territory.
LSN Singapore ·
QUSRA, West Bank — Retired Israeli military commanders joined Palestinian farmers in harvesting olives in the village of Qusra on Tuesday, marking a symbolic show of support amid rising tensions in the West Bank. The gesture underscored growing concerns among Israel's security establishment regarding the uptick in militant settler attacks targeting Palestinian communities and their livelihoods.
The participation of former senior defence and military officials in the agricultural activity reflected broader criticism from within Israel's defence circles over unchecked settler violence. The ex-generals' involvement signalled a stark contrast to the actions of militant settlers who have increasingly targeted Palestinian farming operations and rural communities across the occupied West Bank.
Olive harvesting remains a vital economic activity for many Palestinian farming families, particularly in rural areas of the West Bank. However, the season has been marked by concerns over security and access to agricultural lands, with settlers' actions frequently disrupting harvest operations.
The show of solidarity by Israel's former military leadership highlighted deep divisions within Israeli society over settlement policies and the treatment of Palestinians. Their presence at the harvest site underscored calls from security-minded figures within Israel for stronger measures to address settler extremism and protect Palestinian civilian populations.