West Bank Olive Harvest Begins Amid High Security Tension and Clashes

The olive harvest season in the West Bank is just beginning, but the ground is already tense. Friction around olive groves, attempts to reach restricted areas, and fears of terror attacks present the IDF with a dual challenge: to permit authorized agricultural activity while preventing friction from escalating into a broad security incident. This year, the situation unfolds amidst a struggle over enforcement tools against violence by a radical Jewish minority and the potential reinstatement of administrative detentions.

To minimize potential flashpoints, the IDF decided this year not to allow Palestinians to enter state land for harvesting. This restriction applies across the West Bank, including locations previously used for harvesting. Meanwhile, the harvest policy continues on private plots, with security coordinations and access schedules established in sensitive areas.

However, preparations and restrictions do not guarantee a quiet season. An anonymous Israeli right-wing activist told "Hayom": "In the very first days of the harvest, we saw Palestinians trying to harvest in unauthorized locations near Israeli settlements, accompanied by left-wing activists coming to inflame the area. They know very well what happens in these situations. There is a reason the IDF does not approve this. It is all about showing presence, provoking, and testing how much they will be allowed to break the law."

He added, "They are testing the ground just as they tested Gaza before October 7. I do not know what the IDF will do, but we will not let them harvest here, not close to Israeli settlements on our roads."

Behind these statements lies the tension accompanying the season: farmers seeking access to plots, residents fearing proximity to settlements, and activists joining the harvest. When disputes over land entry turn into civilian clashes, forces must not only enforce orders but also separate the parties before escalation.

Alongside local friction lies the fear of terror exploitation. A security official told "Hayom": "Hamas is deeply frustrated by its failure to carry out significant terror attacks in the West Bank. The IDF successfully neutralizes cell after cell, and recent attacks have been carried out by lone terrorists. It is not far-fetched that they will try to exploit the harvest to carry out terror operations. The IDF is acting with full force to prevent this."

Incidents at the beginning of the month illustrate how quickly friction can deteriorate. In Benjamin, reports emerged of stone-throwing and an attempt to seize a weapon during a clash with three Palestinians harvesting in the pasturelands of the Beit Karnayim farm. An Israeli was lightly injured, and one Palestinian was detained by the IDF. On the same day, five activists were injured in a clash near Jantah in Gush Etzion, where they arrived to assist with harvest preparations.

Security forces are also dealing with attempts to bring harvesters to uncoordinated areas and activists seeking to provoke friction. Conversely, the army clarifies that preventing a Palestinian harvest in a specific location does not grant Israelis permission to harvest there. Security entry restrictions do not transfer ownership of trees or crops, and state land is not lawless.

The sensitive period is expected to last for weeks. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture set October 15 for the opening of the Nabali Baladi oil harvest, and November 5 for the Nabali Mua'ssan and irrigated oil varieties. Table olive harvesting was permitted starting September 20. There is no unified end date for the season, which depends on varieties, ripening, and local conditions.

This year, field events may also impact the struggle within the security and political leadership. For months, the defense establishment has sought to expand tools for dealing with violent acts by a radical Jewish minority in the West Bank. In the absence of administrative detentions against Jews, alternatives have been promoted, including electronic tagging to monitor movement restrictions and measures against vehicles involved in incidents.

The operational cost of riots extends beyond the specific event. When forces are required to deal with assaults and public disorder, focus and resources are diverted from other missions, including counter-terrorism and civilian protection. At a time when terrorists might exploit friction, preventing violence is an integral part of the security effort.

Last week, Shin Bet chief David Zini joined a discussion on potential policy changes. In a cabinet meeting, he stated that if he fails to curb radical Jewish violence through other means, he will demand the reinstatement of administrative detentions against them, having previously preferred alternative approaches.

The harvest season may serve as a major test for their effectiveness. If incidents escalate and existing measures fail to curb them, pressure to resume administrative detentions or expand enforcement tools may intensify. If calm prevails, it could strengthen the argument that violence can be addressed without returning to such detentions.

Meanwhile, daily decisions are made on the ground. The IDF is required to thwart terror, enforce entry restrictions, and protect civilians. Any attempt to bypass orders, or enforce them by civilians through force, risks creating new flashpoints. As the harvest begins, a single severe incident could alter the reality of the entire region.