Jewish settlers burn 100 olive trees in West Bank

In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs counted. (Archive Image) - See more at: http://www.daysofpalestine.com/news/jewish-settlers-burn-100-olive-trees-wb/#sthash.wGzDe8M0.dpuf

Jewish settlers burn 100 olive trees in WB

Days of Palestine, West Bank –Israeli Jewish settlers burnt on Thursday over than 100 olive trees in Palestinian farms in the West Bank city of Nablus.

Days of Palestine reporter said that a group of masked settlers stormed the town of Huwwara in Nablus and sneaked to the farms. “Little time later, we saw the poles of smoke rising from the farms,” the reporter said.

The farmers and the Palestinians in the area rushed to the farms “to be surprised with the olive trees, which have not been harvested yet, were burning.”

Palestinians took their extinguishers to attempt extinguishing the fire, but the Israeli occupation forces prevented them. “They even prevented the Palestinian civil defence vans,” the reporter said.

“After a couple of hours, when more than one hundred olive trees were completely turned to ash,” the reporter went on, “the Israeli forces allowed the civil defence and firefighters to the farms.”

About why the owners of the farms have not yet harvested the olive crop, the mayor of the twon said that the Israeli occupation forces have been prevented them from entering their farms.

However, after the trees were burnt, the Israeli occupation allowed the owners to reach their farms, “but that was too late,” one of the farmers said.

The town of Huwara has witnessed continuous attacks carried out by Israeli settlers who come from the Yitzhar and other nearby settlements. There, the Jewish settlers are known for their extremism and hostility towards Arabs.

Around 20,000 Jewish settlers live near Nablus in 39 Jewish-only settlements. Palestinian residents, for their part, complain of repeated attacks by settlers, who usually enjoy the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.

Settler attacks have recently escalated with the start of the olive harvest season, and several Palestinian towns have seen their crops stolen, olive trees cut and lands confiscated.

Settler attacks are almost universally condemned, but rarely punished. “In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs counted.

- Source: http://www.daysofpalestine.com/news/jewish-settlers-burn-100-olive-trees-wb/#sthash.wGzDe8M0.dpuf