It’s the olive harvest season in Palestine, although not in Gaza for obvious reasons.

If you didn’t already know just how sacred the olive tree is to Palestinians, you’ll hopefully get a glimpse after this episode of Falastin where we turn to that season of connection, and to one of the organisations keeping it alive in spirit and action.

The Dalia Association is a leading community foundation in the occupied West Bank. One of their most beautiful initiatives is the Olive Harvest Solidarity Volunteering Program, an effort that brings people from around the world to harvest side by side with Palestinian farmers, standing in solidarity with those whose lands and livelihoods are constantly under threat.

Farmers in the West Bank face constant Israeli settler attacks, land confiscations, and the destruction of olive trees, acts meant not only to harm livelihoods, but to sever the deep bond between Palestinians and their soil. Yet, in the midst of this violence and uncertainty, the harvest continues, as a form of resistance, community, and hope.

Joining me to discuss this is Nour Nusseibeh, the Executive Director of Dalia Association. Nour is a development professional with over 16 years of experience in community building, program design, and participatory rights-based development.