UN URGES ISRAEL TO PROTECT PALESTINIAN OLIVE FARMERS FROM SETTLER VIOLENCE

The United Nations is supporting Palestinian farmers and olive pickers in the occupied West Bank ahead of this year's olive harvest, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has said. He reiterated calls for Israel to protect civilians from violence carried out by Israeli settlers during the harvest period. Dujarric said UN humanitarian partners had identified areas where extra protection was needed to let farmers gather their crops safely and on time. Those partners are seeking flexible funding to respond to the needs of affected Palestinian communities, he said.

Asked about settler violence in the occupied West Bank, Dujarric said the UN had been clear in condemning attacks carried out by Israeli settlers. He said the Israeli government and its security forces were obliged to protect the civilian population, including Palestinians. That obligation, he added, extended to ensuring that everyone involved in such violence was held accountable. Dujarric did not identify the specific areas named by humanitarian partners, nor did he give a figure for the funding being sought.

The appeal comes as part of continuing UN statements calling on Israeli authorities to act against settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Dujarric said the UN's position on condemning such attacks has remained consistent. The funding sought by humanitarian partners is intended to extend protection and support to Palestinian farming communities throughout the harvest period. No timeframe was given for when any additional protection measures might take effect. The UN did not say whether Israeli authorities had responded directly to the latest calls for accountability.