SAFA — Israeli authorities are reportedly preparing to deport 12 international solidarity activists detained while helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives in the village of Kafr Ni'ma, west of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.

The activists were among 17 people detained by Israeli forces on Friday following an incident in which Israeli settlers allegedly attacked and forcibly held volunteers participating in the olive harvest.

The Fazaa campaign, which organizes volunteer support for Palestinian farmers facing settler attacks, said it had been informed by a lawyer handling the case that Israeli authorities intended to deport the 12 activists on Saturday morning.

According to the campaign, those facing deportation include five German nationals, four Italians, two Canadians, and one American.

Seventeen Detained Following Settler Attack on Olive Harvest Volunteers

The arrests took place Friday in Kafr Ni'ma, where international volunteers had joined Palestinian farmers to help protect their access to agricultural land during the olive harvest season.

According to Fazaa, Israeli settlers attacked the volunteers and prevented them from leaving before Israeli forces intervened and detained members of the group.

A total of 17 people were detained, including 12 international solidarity activists, two foreign journalists, and three Palestinian residents, one of them a woman.

The campaign said the planned deportations followed the detention of volunteers who had traveled to the West Bank to accompany Palestinian farmers and document attacks during the harvest.

Fazaa Condemns Deportations as Attempt to Silence Witnesses

Fazaa strongly condemned the reported deportation decision, warning that repeated arrests and expulsions of international volunteers could undermine efforts to document settler violence and support vulnerable farming communities.

The campaign described the measure as an attempt to silence witnesses to settler attacks, prevent documentation of violations against Palestinian residents, and obstruct international efforts to protect farmers and ensure their access to their land.

International solidarity volunteers frequently accompany Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest, particularly in areas where residents report intimidation, harassment, and attacks by Israeli settlers.

Their presence is intended to provide support to farming families, document incidents, and help Palestinians reach agricultural land near Israeli settlements and military-controlled areas.

Olive Harvest Season Marred by Rising Settler Attacks

The arrests and planned deportations come amid continuing reports of Israeli settler attacks and military restrictions targeting Palestinian olive harvesters across the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian farmers have reported assaults, intimidation, restrictions on access to their groves, and damage to olive trees and agricultural property.

The annual olive harvest is a vital source of income for thousands of Palestinian families and holds deep cultural and historical significance.

Palestinian rights groups have repeatedly warned that settler violence and restrictions on agricultural access threaten rural livelihoods and make it increasingly difficult for farmers to cultivate and harvest their land.

Fazaa warned that deporting international volunteers could further reduce the presence of independent witnesses in areas where Palestinian farmers face repeated attacks.

The campaign called for an end to the targeting of international solidarity activists and for the protection of Palestinians working on their agricultural land.