5,500-year-old olive tree continues to thrive in Bethlehem despite drought, conflict

An ancient olive tree in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, estimated to be 5,500 years old, continues to bear fruit despite years of drought and water shortages, standing as a testament to its resilience in harsh environmental conditions.

The tree produces between 500 and 600 kilograms of olives in a good season, said Salah Abu Ali, who cares for it. However, drought and water shortages have reduced its yield in recent years, he added.

At 13 meters tall and 25 meters wide, the tree has been passed down through generations and continues to bring the family together for the annual olive harvest.

“We all gather beneath it because it is like a mother: a mother brings everyone together,” Abu Ali said.

“People and entire nations have come and gone from this land, yet the tree remains standing,” he added, describing the tree as a living symbol of Palestinian heritage.

READ: Israeli occupiers injure 16 Palestinians, burn 55 olive trees in West Bank attacks

According to Palestinian accounts, attacks by Israeli forces and settlers on Palestinian farmers have increased since the olive harvest began in late September.

The reported incidents include physical assaults, restrictions on access to farmland, crop theft, and the uprooting and destruction of olive trees.

The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said more than 45,000 trees were cut down or damaged across the occupied West Bank in the first half of 2026, including more than 26,000 olive trees.

The olive harvest season began on Sept. 20 with olives intended for pickling, while harvesting varieties used for olive oil production is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.

Since Israel began its genocide in Gaza in October 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers against Palestinians and their property have intensified across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The attacks include killings and arrests of Palestinians, the demolition of homes and structures, the burning of mosques and vehicles, bulldozing of agricultural land, preventing farmers from reaching their fields, stealing crops, displacement and illegal settlement expansion.

Palestinians warn that Israel is paving the way through such measures for the formal annexation of the West Bank, in a move that would undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state as envisioned in relevant UN resolutions.

READ: Israel uproots 400 olive trees in occupied West Bank as harvest season approaches