The Minister of Agriculture from Lisbon: Protecting Palestinian olives is an international responsibility to preserve food security and national identity.

Lisbon: July 5, 2026

• 13 million olive trees across one million dunams... and 20% of the harvest could not be properly harvested last season.
• 1.6 million trees were destroyed in Gaza during the aggression, and 91,000 attacks on olive trees were recorded in the West Bank during 2025.
• Meetings with the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, the President of the International Olive Council, and the CIHEAM Institute to enhance cooperation and support the Palestinian agricultural sector.

Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Slaimiya concluded his participation in the World Olive Oil Congress (OOWC) in Lisbon, Portugal, with representatives from 46 countries, several ministers of agriculture, heads of missions, and international organizations. In his address on behalf of the State of Palestine, he emphasized that protecting the Palestinian olive sector is essential for protecting food security and national identity, and that the olive tree is a symbol of resilience and a cornerstone of the livelihoods of thousands of Palestinian families. He noted that Palestine has approximately 13 million olive trees planted across nearly one million dunams. Slaimiya explained that the Palestinian olive sector faces increasing challenges due to climate change and water scarcity, in addition to systematic targeting by the Israeli occupation. He noted that approximately 20% of olive trees were not harvested properly last season due to restrictions on access to agricultural lands. He added that 360 attacks were documented during the last harvest season, affecting more than 91,000 olive trees in the West Bank, in addition to the destruction of more than 1.6 million trees in the Gaza Strip.

On the sidelines of the conference, and in coordination with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Portugal, the Minister held a series of bilateral meetings with the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, the Executive Director of the International Olive Council, Dr. Jaime Léo Lopes, and Dr. Ramzi Belkhouja from the CIHEAM Institute in Zaragoza. The two sides discussed prospects for cooperation in developing the olive sector, plant health, capacity building, and enhancing the presence of Palestinian olive oil in international markets.

In closing, Slaimiya emphasized the importance of expanding international cooperation to support the Palestinian olive sector, rehabilitate damaged areas, and empower farmers to continue their role in protecting the land, production, and national heritage. The Palestinian delegation included Hisham Ayad, Hussam Melhem, and Ms. Duha Al-Abadi, in the presence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Portugal, Ms. Rawan Suleiman.