Despite systematic attacks by Israeli settlers and military raids, the Burin Land and Farming Cooperative continues to rebuild its greenhouses and crops to maintain its connection to the land.
- Israeli settlers and military forces are systematically destroying Palestinian greenhouses and olive groves in Burin.
- The Burin Land and Farming Cooperative uses agriculture as a tool for political resistance and food sovereignty.
- Settler attacks in the West Bank are on track to exceed 2025's record highs, according to UN data.
In the village of Burin, located in the occupied West Bank, the rhythm of daily life is dictated by the roar of Israeli armored personnel carriers. For Ghassan Najjar and the members of the Burin Land and Farming Cooperative, the struggle is not fought with weapons, but with seeds, soil, and an unwavering refusal to leave their ancestral lands.
The cooperative, which supports approximately 25 families, has become a primary target for Israeli settlers. On July 13, a dispute over grazing livestock escalated into a targeted attack. Following a confrontation with Israeli border police, a group of settlers returned the next night to gut five greenhouses, destroying irrigation networks and killing 9,000 tomato seedlings. The financial loss was estimated at over 38,000 shekels, but the psychological impact was aimed at forced displacement.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that these attacks are not isolated incidents of vandalism but are part of a broader strategy of territorial expansion. By targeting the primary source of livelihood—agriculture—settlers and military forces create an environment of economic instability that pressures Palestinian landowners to abandon their property. This pattern aligns with reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International regarding forced displacement in the region.
"The destruction of agricultural infrastructure is a calculated move to sever the indigenous connection to the land, making food sovereignty a form of political rebellion."
The scale of the violence is staggering. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 1,418 settler attacks were recorded through July of this year, putting the region on a trajectory to surpass the 2025 record of 1,836 attacks. In Burin alone, 1,500 olive trees have been uprooted or burned, and 70% of the cooperative's wheat harvest was incinerated before it could be gathered.
In response, Najjar has implemented the "Tom and Jerry Programme." The strategy is simple: farmers enter the land at dawn, retreat when the army arrives, and return the moment the convoy leaves. This persistent presence serves as a symbolic and physical reclamation of their territory.
Historical Background
The West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967. International law considers Israeli settlements in these territories illegal. Over decades, the expansion of these settlements has led to the fragmentation of Palestinian land, the creation of "closed military zones," and a chronic cycle of violence between settlers and local farmers.
| Impact Category | Losses in Burin (Recent) | Broader West Bank Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | 5 Greenhouses Destroyed | Increasing systemic vandalism |
| Crops | 1,500+ Olive Trees / 7,000sqm Wheat | Widespread crop destruction |
| Frequency | Daily Military Raids | On track to break 2025 attack records |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are the greenhouses designated as closed military zones?
While officially cited as security measures, these designations often restrict Palestinian access while allowing Israeli settlers to move freely or graze livestock.
Q2: What is the goal of the Burin Land and Farming Cooperative?
Beyond agriculture, the cooperative seeks "food sovereignty," believing that true freedom is only possible when people can sustain themselves from their own land.
