Violence Escalates: Palestinian Woman Clubbed by Settler During Olive Harvest

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:34:40 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A 55-year-old Palestinian woman, Umm Saleh Abu Alia, is hospitalized after an unprovoked attack by a masked Israeli settler during olive harvesting in the West Bank. This incident raises alarm over increasing violence and intimidation during the harvest season as settlers reportedly attack Palestinian farmers.

Umm Saleh Abu Alia, a 55-year-old Palestinian woman, was hospitalized after being struck in the head by a masked Israeli settler while picking olives in Turmus Ayya, a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank. Captured on video by a journalist, the attack, which involved the settler using a heavy stick, left Abu Alia bleeding and unconscious. The incident occurred amidst rising tensions related to the olive harvest, a critical time for Palestinians, often marred by violence from settlers. The Israeli Defense Forces condemned the attack but faced accusations of complicity, as soldiers were reportedly present before the assault took place. With the olive harvest season being increasingly dangerous, reports indicate a spike in settler violence, indicating systemic issues regarding land access and the treatment of Palestinian farmers.

A 55-year-old Palestinian woman named Umm Saleh Abu Alia has been hospitalized after being violently clubbed over the head by a masked Israeli settler while she was picking olives in her village of Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank. This assault, which was recorded by US journalist Jasper Nathaniel, involved the settler knocking Abu Alia unconscious with the first strike and continuing to beat her while she lay on the ground.

The attack, occurring on a Sunday morning, has raised serious concerns over safety during the olive harvest, a crucial period for many Palestinians who depend economically and culturally on olive cultivation. The incident unfolded despite the presence of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who claimed to disperse the confrontation but did not intervene prior to the attack. Nathaniel, who was also present, suggested that the IDF had lured them into an ambush just before the settlers launched their assault.

Abu Alia was initially treated in intensive care but is reported to be in stable condition after undergoing medical attention for multiple head injuries. This incident is not isolated, as there have been numerous reports of attacks on Palestinian farmers during this harvest season, which began on October 9. These assaults are often seen as tactics to intimidate and dislocate Palestinians from their lands in favor of expanding settler presence.

The olive harvest is not only an economic necessity but a cultural tradition that holds significant importance to Palestinian identity. However, due to an increase in settler violence, including documented incidents in 27 villages since the harvest began, the safety of harvesters has become increasingly precarious. According to the UN humanitarian office, recent weeks have seen a surge in violence, with many attacks aimed at halting Palestinian access to their agricultural lands.

With over 3,200 Palestinians injured in settler attacks this year alone, the situation continues to escalate with little recourse for victims, as the majority of investigations into settler violence remain unresolved. Critics point to systemic failures in addressing this issue, with a stark lack of accountability fostering ongoing violence against Palestinians.