DeepSummary
The podcast discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank, a territory occupied by Israel. Palestinian farmers are being pushed off their agricultural lands as Israeli settlements expand, leading to what some call a 'silent war.' Nathan VanderKlippe, the Globe's international correspondent, shares his recent experience visiting the West Bank and speaking with Palestinian farmers who have lost access to their lands since October 7th.
VanderKlippe interviewed a Palestinian farmer named Saman Mohammed Shraita, who used to earn around $20,000 a year from his olive harvest but was only able to fill 8 jugs last year due to being blocked from accessing his land. The Palestinian Farmers Union estimates losses of $60 million from the incomplete olive harvest and 90% of grazing areas in the Jordan Valley being inaccessible.
VanderKlippe also spoke with Israelis in nearby settlements, who justified creating buffer zones around their communities for security reasons after violent incidents in October. However, this expansion of settlements and restricted access to Palestinian lands has drawn condemnation from Western governments, with some imposing sanctions on settlers involved in violence.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Palestinian farmers in the West Bank are losing access to agricultural lands due to the expansion of Israeli settlements
- This 'silent war' over land access is leading to major economic losses for Palestinian farmers
- Israeli settlers justify expansions as security buffer zones after violent incidents in October
- The conflict is escalating tensions and violence in the region
- Western nations have criticized the settlements and imposed some sanctions on violent settlers
- Restricted land access has increased hunger and food insecurity for some Palestinians
- Shared resources like water sources are sources of conflict between settlers and farmers
- The conflict reflects the ongoing Israeli occupation and Palestinian aspirations for statehood
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It's a war without shooting. It's a war that, for Palestinians is a war that's not being fought with guns and with the traditional implements of war, but with agricultural implements and often with things like sheep and cattle.“ by Nathan VanderKlippe
- “Tall fences make good neighbors.“ by Ilan Guatt
- “He does everything in his power to prevent Jews from coming to the area. And he described polluting the spring with cow manure in order to prevent bathing in it by israeli settlers.“ by Ilan Guatt
- “The estimate is that something like 90% of the grazing area in the Jordan Valley is now difficult, if not impossible to access for Palestinians.“ by Nathan VanderKlippe
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Episode Information
The Decibel
The Globe and Mail
4/23/24
The Israel-Hamas war is continuing in Gaza, but tension extends to another Palestinian territory, the West Bank. Five hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers or security forces, according to local authorities, and at least nine Israelis have been killed, according to the United Nations. The West Bank is also home to farmland where olive, fig and lemon trees grow. Since Oct. 7, Israeli settlements have expanded and some Palestinian farmers say they’ve lost access to agricultural land.
Nathan VanderKlippe, the Globe’s international correspondent, tells us what’s been happening on West Bank farmlands for the past six months and how this is increasing tensions in the region.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com