Ministry of Agriculture: Bethlehem Agriculture Directorate holds an expanded preparatory meeting to launch the "Olive 2026" national olive-harvesting campaign.

Bethlehem: September 22, 2026

Bethlehem Agriculture Directorate held an expanded preparatory meeting to launch the "Olive 2026" national olive-harvesting campaign. The meeting took place at the Martyr Shireen Abu Aqleh Hall within Bethlehem Governorate headquarters, under the patronage and in the presence of Bethlehem Governor Mr. Mohammed Taha Abu Aliya, Directorate Director-General Eng. Abdul Wahab Halayqa, and Directorate staff. It saw broad participation from official bodies, security agencies, and partner institutions, as part of national preparations to ensure a successful olive harvest season and bolster the steadfastness of farmers on their lands.
Participants included representatives from the Commission Against the Wall and Settlements, the General Authority of Civil Affairs, Military and Civil Liaison offices, the Directorate of Local Government, Civil Defense, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, and the Solidarity Commission. Also among the  attendance were representatives from local councils, the youth and sports sectors, and various partner organizations—including the ARIJ Institute, the YMCA, St. Peter’s Church/Caritas, and the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC).
The meeting addressed the field action plan for the season, focusing on supporting farmers in "friction zones"—areas near settlements, the Annexation and Expansion Wall, and other threatened locations such as Kisan, Al-Minya, Wadi Ahmed, Battir, Nahalin, Beit Fajjar, and Khalayel Al-Loz. Discussions also covered coordinating efforts to provide harvesting equipment—including electric olive harvesters, ladders, tarpaulins, and safety gear—and enhancing the participation of local and international volunteer teams, Civil Defense crews, and the Red Crescent to handle any emergencies during the season. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of field monitoring and legal documentation regarding any attacks against farmers or their agricultural lands—in cooperation with relevant human rights organizations—to ensure the necessary support for farmers and the protection of their rights. At the conclusion of the meeting, a decision was made to form an active local committee to oversee the implementation of the national campaign plan within the governorate, ensuring farmers can access their lands and harvest their crops safely and smoothly.
The Ministry of Agriculture affirms that these preparations are part of the national "Olive 2026" olive-harvesting campaign plan, implemented by the Ministry in collaboration with various partners. This initiative recognizes the olive season as a national milestone for bolstering farmers' resilience and protecting the land, as well as a fundamental pillar of food security and the Palestinian agricultural economy. The Ministry emphasizes the continued efforts of its field teams across all governorates to ensure the season's success, support farmers, and protect their lands.