8,000 Olive Trees Uprooted Near Bethlehem in Land Dispute
Over 8,000 olive trees were reportedly uprooted by Israeli forces near Bethlehem in December 2025. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the deep ties between Palestinians and their ancestral lands, where olive groves have stood for generations. Palestinians have cultivated and cared for the land in the West Bank for thousands of years. Their connection to the olive trees runs deep, with many bearing the names of ancestors—like the tree in Zarnouqa, still marked with the name of photographer Fredrick Horn’s grandfather, Mustafa.
The West Bank remains divided by a 30-foot-high segregation wall, deemed illegal under international law, and cut through by military checkpoints. Despite these barriers, the olive trees endure as silent witnesses, holding memories of families and villages. Photographer Fredrick Horn has documented the efforts of Treedom for Palestine, an organisation working with farmers in Jayyus to bolster food security and protect the land. The group’s work comes as olive groves face threats from land confiscations and destruction. For many, the trees symbolise resilience. They do not question where Palestinians have been forced to go but stand like a mother waiting for their return. Their roots count the steps of those displaced, preserving a bond that outlasts occupation.
The uprooting of trees near Bethlehem highlights the ongoing struggle over Palestinian land. Efforts by groups like Treedom for Palestine aim to safeguard what remains, ensuring that olive groves—and the memories they hold—endure for future generations. The trees themselves remain, awaiting a time when cities like Gaza and Nablus are free from conflict.
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