New York, Oct. 19 (Petra) -- Independent UN experts on Monday urged Israel to ensure the protection of Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank from settler threats during the olive harvest season.

Seven experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council stated that Palestinian farmers face escalated violence, destruction, and restrictions year after year. They emphasized that "the olive harvest season should be a time when farmers safely and with dignity enjoy the food and livelihoods provided by nature and their land, rather than a season of fear, loss, violence, and destruction." The experts highlighted that olive trees take years to mature and sustain families, noting that their destruction deprives households of far more than a single season's yield. They stressed that local food systems, cultural practices, and ways of life are rights belonging to the Palestinian people, alongside their right to food and food sovereignty.

Furthermore, the experts stated that Israel must ensure its forces protect Palestinian farmers from settler attacks, refrain from interfering with farmers' access to their land, and comply with its obligations under international law.

They reaffirmed that as an occupying power, Israel bears an international legal obligation to end its occupation of Palestinian territory, immediately cease new settlement activities, evacuate settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and provide full reparations for damages resulting from its violations.

The experts called on the international community, particularly influential states, to exert maximum pressure to protect Palestinian civilians, halt and reverse rapidly expanding land annexation policies and practices, and ensure accountability for decades of rights violations against Palestinians.

//Petra// AF