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Grand Mufti Issues Fatwa Banning Purchase of Settler Olive Products Amid Rising West Bank Violence
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Fatwa Against Buying Settler Olive Goods
Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories and head of the Supreme Fatwa Council, issued a religious ruling prohibiting the purchase of olive products harvested from trees destroyed or taken by Israeli settlers. The decree was announced this week in response to a surge of settler attacks on Palestinian olive groves during the current harvest season.
Context of Settler Violence and Olive Grove Damage
In recent weeks, Palestinian communities have reported multiple incidents of settler aggression, including the alleged bulldozing of olive groves near Ramallah by Israeli military bulldozers. The Israel Defense Forces have not released a statement on those specific allegations, though the military has previously justified the removal of olive trees on security grounds, citing concerns about ambushes. The violence has also extended to personal attacks; the Palestinian Health Ministry identified a 44-year-old farmer, Ali Hassan Yusor al-Bazzari, as a recent victim of extremist settlers.
Economic Significance of Olive Agriculture
Olive cultivation remains a cornerstone of the Palestinian economy. The Palestinian Authority’s Agriculture Ministry reports that the sector contributes roughly 8 % of the territory’s gross domestic product and supports more than 60,000 jobs. During the first half of 2026, officials documented the loss of over 45,000 trees—including more than 26,000 olive trees—across the West Bank due to settler-related damage.
Official Statements & Responses
In the fatwa, Sheikh Hussein emphasized the Islamic principle that purchasing stolen goods is prohibited because the seller lacks legitimate ownership. The grand mufti called for coordinated official and popular efforts to reject the sale and purchase of what he described as “usurped and stolen goods.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The basic principle is the prohibition of buying something stolen, because its seller does not own it, nor does he have the right to dispose of it; Buying it encourages theft, cooperates in sin and aggression, and endorses wrongdoing,” — Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein — Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories.