How Israeli settlers wearing keffiyehs are attacking West Bank olive groves

Israeli settlers have been posting images of their olive harvests on social media. © The Observers

The olive harvest officially began in the West Bank on October 15, 2026, and it has coincided with an uptick in violence towards Palestinians carried out by both Israeli settlers and soldiers. Meanwhile, the settlers and soldiers have been using social media to promote an aesthetic, Instagram-friendly and nationalistic view of these harvests.

At first glance, it is an Instagram video like any other. There’s rousing music, sunshine, smiles, coffee and three people harvesting olives. But the video's caption situates these charming scenes in a different, much more violent reality: "That took us a good four hours. We are asking you to come and showcase the land of Israel and harvest olives.”