SAFA – Israeli forces detained 11 international activists and deported 12 others who were participating in solidarity activities supporting Palestinian farmers facing escalating Israeli settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, according to the coordinator of a Palestinian volunteer campaign.

Mohammed Matar, coordinator of the Fazaa campaign, told Anadolu Agency that Israeli forces detained 11 activists in the Al-Bawabeer area of Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, while another 12 international volunteers were deported following activities in Kafr Ni'ma, west of Ramallah.

Matar said the activists detained in Masafer Yatta were citizens of Italy, Germany, the United States, and Hungary. Those deported from Kafr Ni'ma included American, Canadian, German, and Italian nationals.

He added that Israeli actions also affected Italian journalists and that several Palestinian farmers and residents were detained, although he did not specify their number.

International Volunteers Support Palestinian Farmers Facing Settler Violence

The Fazaa campaign is a Palestinian volunteer initiative that mobilizes international activists to accompany farmers and support communities facing Israeli settler attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Launched on September 28 and scheduled to continue through the end of November, the campaign has attracted approximately 800 international participants, including diplomats, according to Matar.

Its primary objective is to help Palestinian farmers reach and cultivate their agricultural land, particularly during the olive harvest season, when settler attacks and Israeli movement restrictions frequently disrupt farming activities.

Despite these challenges, Matar said the campaign had achieved approximately 70% of its strategic objectives.

He identified several major obstacles, including farmers' fears of accessing their land, restrictions on movement across the West Bank, and difficulties transporting volunteers between threatened communities.

International volunteers typically participate in the campaign for periods ranging from two weeks to three months.

Beyond supporting agricultural activities, Fazaa provides a civilian presence in vulnerable Palestinian communities and helps repair damage caused by severe weather and Israeli attacks, particularly in the Jordan Valley.

International Activists Help Document Israeli Violations

Matar said the presence of international volunteers can sometimes deter settler attacks, although it does not provide lasting protection for Palestinian farmers or their communities.

He emphasized the importance of activists sharing their firsthand experiences after returning to their home countries, describing the initiative as a form of "people-to-people diplomacy" that brings Palestinian accounts to international audiences.

According to Matar, the presence of international activists and journalists also helps document settler violence, military restrictions, and other incidents affecting Palestinian communities.

He argued that detaining and deporting international volunteers and journalists undermines these efforts by restricting access to vulnerable communities and limiting the international circulation of Palestinian testimonies.

More Than 3,100 Israeli Military and Settler Attacks Reported in October

The detentions and deportations come amid a sharp escalation in attacks against Palestinians and their property across the occupied West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season.

According to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israeli forces and settlers carried out 3,133 attacks across the West Bank in October, a 52.8% increase compared with September.

In its November 2 report, the commission attributed 1,764 incidents to Israeli forces and 1,369 to settlers.

It also reported that settler attacks alone increased by 111.6% compared with the previous month.

According to the commission, the highest numbers of settler attacks were recorded in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate, with 393 incidents, followed by Nablus with 353 and Hebron with 255.

The report also documented damage to 5,890 trees, including 4,498 olive trees, highlighting the impact of settler violence on Palestinian agriculture and livelihoods.

As attacks and movement restrictions continue, Palestinian farmers face growing difficulties accessing their land, protecting their harvests, and maintaining their livelihoods.

The Fazaa campaign seeks to provide practical support and international visibility for these communities, even as the detention and deportation of its volunteers create additional obstacles to its work.