Full Breakdown
Detention and Deportation of Activists Supporting Palestinian Olive Farmers
10/31/2025, 11:56:23 PM
Incident Overview: Detention of Activists in Burin
On October 25, 2025, two Jewish-American women participating in an initiative to assist Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest were detained by Israeli security forces in the northern West Bank village of Burin. The women, along with nine other activists, were apprehended for allegedly entering a closed military zone established by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on October 16. Following their detention, the two women were processed for deportation at Ben Gurion Airport and subsequently taken to Ramle immigration prison. This incident marks the second occurrence within two weeks where activists supporting Palestinian olive growers faced similar detentions.
Context of Olive Harvesting and Settler Violence
The olive harvest season has historically been fraught with violence, particularly from extremist settlers targeting Palestinian farmers. Reports indicate that this year has seen a significant increase in such attacks, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documenting 126 incidents of violence against olive harvesters, resulting in damage to over 4,000 olive trees. The IDF has declared multiple closed military zones around olive harvest areas, effectively restricting access for activists aiming to support the farmers.
Official Statements and Responses
The IDF and Israel Police stated that their operations were in line with directives from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, aimed at curbing what they described as provocations by foreign activists. They asserted that the detained women had violated the terms of their tourist visas. Becca Strober, a spokesperson for Solidarity of Nations, emphasized that the activists were unaware they were entering a closed military zone and criticized the focus on deporting solidarity activists rather than addressing the violence perpetrated by settlers.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the deportation, including Rabbi Danielle Stillman, expressed outrage at the actions taken against the activists. Stillman highlighted her pride in her daughter’s commitment to supporting Palestinian farmers amidst rising violence. She argued that such acts of solidarity are essential for fostering peace and expressed concern that the deportation could alienate young Jews from Israel. Activists have pointed out that the police's focus on removing those aiding olive harvesters detracts from addressing the violence faced by these farmers.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While the IDF maintains that the closed military zones are necessary for public security, activists argue that these measures disproportionately target those attempting to assist vulnerable communities. The situation remains tense, with ongoing reports of violence against Palestinian farmers and a lack of accountability for the perpetrators.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The police are arresting solidarity activists coming to support Palestinian farmers due to the settler violence against them during the olive harvest, instead of arresting the violent settlers who are making the presence of the solidarity activists necessary,” — Becca Strober, Spokesperson for Solidarity of Nations
- “This couldn’t be farther away from justice and legal logic, that the police are focusing their efforts on arresting those picking olives rather than those carrying out the extreme violence happening right now [against Palestinian olive growers].” — Becca Strober, Spokesperson for Solidarity of Nations
- “I believe these are the small actions of cooperation and humanization which will be the building blocks of peace,” — Rabbi Danielle Stillman, Mother of Detained Activist
The deportation of the two American women underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding olive harvesting in the West Bank, highlighting the complex interplay of activism, settler violence, and military regulations in the region.
