As olive harvest nears, Palestinian farmers urgently need international protection

Every October, the ancient olive groves in my hometown and across the occupied West Bank become dynamic hubs of life and labour. For generations of Palestinians , the olive harvest has been the pulse of our economic survival and a living link to our ancestors. The olive tree, resilient and deep-rooted, is a symbol of who we are and of our connection to this land. As this year's harvest approaches, our villages are gripped by a dread I have not seen before. In recent weeks, the situation across the West Bank has deteriorated sharply. Military raids, arbitrary road closures and daily incursions by armed settler militias have turned our countryside into a militarised zone.