The Ecological Impact of Israeli Policies on Palestinian Land

While international observers often search for information on Israel, the reality on the ground in the occupied territories reveals a starkly different environmental narrative. Despite claims of expertise in desert cultivation, Israeli policies have led to the widespread destruction of Palestinian land, including the systematic removal of olive trees. Since the start of this year, settlers and soldiers have destroyed 100,000 olive trees, with 4,500 uprooted in the last month alone. In Gaza, the impact has been even more severe, with 97 percent of olive trees wiped out since October 2023.

The Myth of the Desert

Historical accounts show that Palestine was already a thriving agricultural region when Zionist settlers arrived in the late 19th century. Local farmers produced enough food to export across the Mediterranean, utilizing techniques suited to the local climate. In contrast, incoming settlers introduced European-style agriculture and non-native species like the eucalyptus, which often increased wildfire risks. These activities were frequently used to cover the remains of displaced Palestinian villages.

Israeli colonial policies have systematically destroyed Palestinian ecosystems, water resources, and agricultural land since 1948.

Since 1967, Israeli authorities have exerted control over natural resources in the West Bank and Gaza. The national water company, Mekorot, frequently diverts water from Palestinian communities to support illegal settlements, often cutting supplies during summer months. This water theft, combined with the use of pesticides and the bulldozing of land, has caused long-term soil degradation and erosion.

In Gaza, the ongoing conflict has resulted in what some describe as ecocide. The destruction of 85 percent of buildings has left 70 million tonnes of toxic rubble, contaminating groundwater and soil with heavy metals and explosive compounds. These environmental damages threaten the viability of the land for generations to come, standing in direct opposition to the sustainability claims often made by the state at international conferences.

Why it matters

The destruction of Palestinian agriculture and water resources represents a fundamental shift in the landscape, affecting the livelihoods of those who have cultivated the land for generations. This environmental degradation impacts the regional ecosystem and highlights the contrast between traditional Palestinian stewardship and the colonial approach of resource exploitation.

For readers in India and South Asia, this situation underscores the broader consequences of land-use policies that prioritize political control over ecological stability, demonstrating how environmental health is inextricably linked to the rights and security of local populations.