Israel detains 11 foreign activists, deports 12 for supporting Palestinian farmers in occupied West Bank

Israel has detained 11 foreign activists and deported 12 others from the occupied West Bank while they were taking part in activities supporting Palestinian farmers against attacks by Israeli occupiers, the coordinator of the Palestinian “Fazaa” campaign said, Anadolu reports.

In an interview with Anadolu, campaign coordinator Mohammed Matar said “around 800 foreign activists, including diplomats, had participated in the campaign’s activities since it was launched on Sept. 28 to support Palestinian farmers and communities targeted by occupiers.”

According to Matar, Israeli authorities detained 11 activists in the al-Bawabeer area of Masafer Yatta, while 12 international activists were deported from the village of Kafr Ni’ma, west of Ramallah.

The detainees in Masafer Yatta hold Italian, German, American and Hungarian citizenship, while those deported from Kafr Ni’ma included citizens of the US, Canada, Germany and Italy.

Israeli measures also affected Italian journalists, while several Palestinian farmers and local residents were detained, although Matar did not specify their number.

The “Fazaa” campaign is a Palestinian voluntary initiative that brings together foreign activists from different countries to support farmers and communities targeted in the occupied West Bank.

Campaign objectives

Launched on Sept. 28, the campaign is set to continue until the end of November, following around four months of preparations, Matar said.

Its goal is to reach “as much agricultural land as possible and support Palestinian farmers facing occupier attacks.”

“The campaign has achieved around 70% of its strategic goal despite obstacles, particularly measures by the Israeli army and attacks by occupiers,” the coordinator said.

Among the main challenges, Matar cited some farmers’ fears of accessing their land, restrictions on movement across the West Bank and difficulties transporting activists between targeted locations.

Volunteers typically participate for periods ranging from two weeks to three months. The campaign’s work also extends beyond helping farmers during the olive harvest season.

Its activities include supporting targeted Palestinian communities, providing civilian protection for their residents and helping rebuild what has been damaged by weather conditions and Israeli military offensives in the Jordan Valley, according to Matar.

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People-to-people diplomacy

Describing the role of foreign activists, Matar said “their presence on the ground could sometimes reduce the scale of attacks but did not provide lasting protection for farmers or Palestinian communities.”

Despite their presence, some activists had been detained and deported despite holding American and European citizenship.

After returning to their countries, activists share with their communities what they witnessed on the ground, a practice Matar described as “people-to-people diplomacy” that helps convey the situation in the Palestinian territories abroad.

He also linked the targeting of activists and journalists to efforts to “restrict Palestinian society and influence the transmission of the Palestinian narrative to the world.”

“The presence of journalists and activists at the scenes of incidents also allows Israeli practices to be documented and reported to international audiences,” Matar said.

He pointed out that “Israel publishes videos showing its soldiers helping farmers harvest olives,” while the presence of activists and journalists, in his view, allows them to convey what is happening on the ground and expose the practices Palestinians face.

Escalating attacks

Matar’s remarks come amid an escalation in attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season.

The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said Israeli forces and occupiers carried out 3,133 attacks across the West Bank in October, a 52.8% increase compared with the previous month.

In its monthly report issued on Nov. 2, the commission said Israeli forces carried out 1,764 attacks, while occupiers were responsible for 1,369.

Attacks by occupiers alone increased by 111.6% compared with September, it said.

According to the report, occupier attacks were concentrated in the governorates of Ramallah and al-Bireh, with 393 incidents, followed by Nablus with 353 and Hebron with 255.

The attacks also damaged 5,890 trees, including 4,498 olive trees, the commission said.

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