Protect The Harvest
Who We Are
We are a global coalition of activists and allies standing in solidarity with Palestinian communities in the West Bank for the 2026 olive harvest.
Each year, Palestinian and Israeli grassroots groups organize solidarity harvests alongside farmers. In 2026, they are inviting the international community to join.
Together, we are building a broad network committed to turning solidarity into action—working side by side to help protect the harvest and support those rooted in the land.
Our goal is to mobilize a global community to accompany Palestinian farmers, help safeguard this year’s harvest, and take part in nonviolent co-resistance.
Why Joining the Olive Harvest Matters
This is an urgent moment.
Increasing settler and state violence is making it harder and sometimes impossible for Palestinian farmers to safely access and harvest their olive trees. Without the harvest, families lose a major source of income and connection to their land.
This is not just about olives. It is about presence, protection, and the right to remain.
Showing up matters. It helps farmers harvest more. It helps deter violence. It shows that they are not alone.
The Meaning of the Olive Tree
The olive tree holds deep meaning for both Palestinians and Israelis.
For Palestinians, it is a powerful symbol of identity, heritage and deep-rooted connection to the land passed down through generations.
The olive harvest is a key source of income for many Palestinian families. Olive oil, pickled olives, and related products support households and local economy. As land in the West Bank faces increasing threat of confiscation and trees are often uprooted, the olive tree has come to symbolize steadfastness (Sumud).
For many years, the harvest season was a joyful time; a social and cultural moment when families and communities gathered to pick olives together, sharing food, stories, and traditions.
In recent years, however, it has also become a time of fear. Increasing violence, restrictions on access to land, and the risk of harassment or attacks have made it dangerous for many farmers to reach and work their fields. What was once a season of celebration is now often marked by uncertainty and the need for protection.
For many Israelis, the olive tree and olive oil hold deep spiritual meaning. Through Jewish texts, the olive branch is widely recognized as a symbol of peace, originating from the story of Noah’s Ark, where a dove returns with an olive leaf after the flood. Olive oil was used in the Temple in Jerusalem for lighting the menorah and for anointing kings and priests, symbolizing holiness and divine presence.
For many, it is a symbol of shared humanity.
Protecting the harvest is not only about this season. It is about protecting a living connection between people, land, and history.
What You Can Do (As an International)
Many internationals have freedom of movement and access that others do not. This is a chance to use that privilege in a meaningful way. You can:
– Accompany farmers in the fields during the harvest
– Help pick olives and support daily work
– Provide a solidarity presence
– Document and bear witness
– Raise awareness, educate, and mobilize support for the harvest from abroad
What Makes This Project Different
This initiative is intentionally broad and inclusive.
People from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are all welcome. You do not need to be an experienced activist or have fully formed political views.
What matters is a willingness to take part.
As a coalition, we do not need full agreement to act together. We are committed to working in solidarity while making space for complexity and learning.
Participants will have access to preparation before arrival and opportunities on the ground to engage more deeply with the histories and realities shaping life in the region today.
The harvest is both an act of support and a space to build relationships and understanding.
How to Join
Ready to join us on the ground? Sign up here.
Want to learn more about the project and what participation looks like? Sign up here.
Not sure you’re ready to travel but still want to support? Join remotely by taking part in local or international efforts. Sign up here.
This is a moment to act. Be part of a global effort. Stand with Palestinian farmers.