Full Breakdown
Palestinian Australian Winemaker Faces Escalating Violence from Israeli Settlers
12/13/2025, 9:59:16 PM
Vineyard Under Threat
Sari Kassis, a Palestinian Australian winemaker, is grappling with the challenges of operating his family's vineyard in the occupied West Bank amid a surge in violence from Israeli settlers. The vineyard, located near Birzeit, north of Ramallah, has been a family endeavor since the 1990s, but Kassis reports that recent months have seen significant damage to the crops. "In terms of sales, we've been suffering since October 2023. In recent months, about a quarter of the vineyard has been damaged and destroyed," Kassis stated.
The harvest season, typically spanning from September to November, has been marred by increased settler attacks, with Kassis noting that the most recent assault impacted about one-third of the vines. The United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has documented 1,680 attacks by Israeli settlers across over 270 communities in the West Bank this year, averaging five incidents per day. These attacks have targeted farmers, crops, and property, exacerbating the already fragile situation for Palestinian agricultural workers.
Background of Violence
Kassis's vineyard is not an isolated case; it reflects a broader pattern of violence against Palestinian farmers. The UN has warned that this year marks one of the most violent periods on record for Palestinian communities. In October 2025 alone, OCHA recorded over 260 settler attacks, the highest number since monitoring began in 2006. The olive harvest, a critical economic and cultural lifeline for many Palestinians, has been particularly affected, with the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute estimating the olive oil sector's value at approximately $120 million to $140 million, representing about 20% of the territory's agricultural output.
Settler Ideology and Government Support
The violence is often linked to extremist ideologies, such as those espoused by the Hilltop Youth, a group of young Israeli settlers who have established illegal outposts in the West Bank. Kassis highlighted that the newly declared military security zone surrounding his property overlaps with their settlement, complicating access to his land. He expressed concerns about the backing these groups receive from Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which he believes emboldens their actions.
Official Responses and Criticism
Despite the documented violence, responses from Israeli authorities have been criticized as inadequate. Kassis noted that when he calls the army for assistance during settler attacks, their response is often delayed, and the damage is already done by the time they arrive. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that their mission is to ensure the security of all residents in the West Bank, but critics argue that the military's actions often fail to protect Palestinian farmers from settler violence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In terms of sales, we've been suffering since October 2023. In recent months, about a quarter of the vineyard has been damaged and destroyed,” — Sari Kassis, Winemaker
- “What makes it worse is that it now has the backing of Israel's finance minister [Bezalel Smotrich],” — Sari Kassis, Winemaker
- “My principles don't allow me to abandon my country and my land, to stop resisting, to stop standing against a colonial system whose sole purpose is to erase me and erase my existence.” — Sari Kassis, Winemaker
What's Next
As Kassis continues to defend his vineyard, the situation remains precarious. The international community's response to the ongoing violence and the Israeli government's policies towards settlers and Palestinians will be crucial in determining the future of agricultural livelihoods in the West Bank. Kassis's commitment to his land underscores the broader struggle faced by many Palestinian farmers amid escalating tensions and violence.
