BETHLEHEM, West Bank (PNN) —
Israeli settlers uprooted around 120 olive trees in the village of Kisan, east of Bethlehem, early on Sunday, in the latest reported attack on Palestinian residents and their agricultural land.
Ali Abu Diyeh said he was shocked to discover the destruction when he arrived at his land on Sunday morning. He said the settlers had uprooted olive trees that he had planted and cared for over the past two decades, following previous attacks targeting his property.
Speaking to Palestine News Network (PNN), Abu Diyeh said around 120 olive trees, aged between 15 and 20 years, had been uprooted from his 10-dunam plot along Kisan's main road, near the village mosque.
He said the settlers had deliberately pulled the trees out by their roots and damaged the land, accusing them of seeking to prevent him and his family from accessing their property. Abu Diyeh said he remained determined to protect and cultivate his land.
Abu Diyeh said he was at the site with several family members, standing among the uprooted trees whose olives they had been preparing to harvest. He said the destruction had deprived the family of this year's olive harvest.
He added that several Israeli military vehicles had arrived in the area and that soldiers told him Israeli police would come to the scene. He said the incident was not the first attack on his land.
Around two months ago, settlers allegedly damaged the barbed-wire fencing surrounding the property, Abu Diyeh said. He reported the incident to Israeli police, but said he was subsequently prevented by the Israeli military and police from rebuilding the fence. He said the lack of fencing had made it easier for settlers to access the land and carry out Sunday's attack.
Abu Diyeh said he had also filed complaints with Israeli police and contacted the Palestinian military liaison office. He called on Palestinian authorities to take action and help protect his land.
He vowed to remain on his property and replant the olive trees, urging the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and other official and civil society organisations to support him and other farmers in the area.
