The Israeli army, today, forced a Palestinian farmer out of his own grove near the village of Burin, to the south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, local WAFA sources said.
The farmer, who is not yet identified, was picking olives in his own grove when Israeli soldiers, who were manning the nearby Huwwara checkpoint, broke into the grove and ordered him out. The soldiers told him that the grove is located in a military zone and that entering it requires the prior permission of Israeli authorities.
Israel has declared more than 3,500 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land, located in the Nablus district, off limits to their owners and farmers. The only way the farmers can reach their lands is by getting a special permit from the Israeli military.
The village of Burin witnessed more than 14 attacks, so far, in this harvest season, by Israeli settlers and soldiers.
Sometimes, Israeli and international volunteers accompany farmers to these hazardous areas, during the olive harvest season, to provide them with protection from attacks, and to help the farmers in their work.
(archive photo image: Ma’an News Agency)
