Detention during the olive harvest

Two Portuguese citizens were detained on Thursday by the Israel Defense Forces in Rantis, a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank that is surrounded by Israeli settlements. Public first reported the arrests, which took place during the olive harvest campaign in the Ramallah and al-Bireh region. The two were part of a group of five Portuguese citizens visiting the territory, and one of them is a journalist. Reports say the group included two media professionals. In recent days the group had accompanied the harvest alongside local contacts, including non-governmental organisations and activists. TSF reported that there was no violence at the moment of arrest, and that the two were separated from the group, handcuffed and detained. Israeli forces did not give a reason for the detentions to activists and journalists on the scene, and no public justification has been given since.

Whereabouts and consular response

TSF reported that the two were unreachable from 13:00 on Thursday until Friday morning. The chief of mission at Portugal's representation in Ramallah located them and has been exchanging information with Portuguese diplomatic bodies. On Friday morning they were being held at the immigration centre at Tel Aviv airport, awaiting deportation. The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is headed by Paulo Rangel, said through its embassy in Tel Aviv that it has been in contact with Israeli authorities. The ministry's statement on their condition reads:

“They are well, they agreed to the deportation, they were not subjected to any physical violence, and they should arrive in Portugal today.”

The ministry confirmed that the two would be deported on Friday, 9 October.

Lawyer and journalists' union reactions

A lawyer for the two citizens, contacted by JN on Thursday, said they had been detained while picking olives and that no reason had been given. She said she had no information on the motive and was trying to understand it. She also said that occupation forces continually disrupt olive picking for Palestinians, and therefore those who show solidarity with them. The Sindicato dos Jornalistas said it was following the case with great concern and was in contact with the legal representatives of the journalist, who has not been named. The union demanded the immediate release of both citizens and asked the Portuguese foreign ministry to intervene with Israel, seeking to know where they were held and under what conditions.

“Journalism is not a crime.”

The union said it would report the case to the European Federation of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists.

Olive harvest context

The olive harvest runs from September to November, according to JN, and is an important source of livelihood for Palestinian families. JN reported that the harvest is often marked by violence from settlers and soldiers. Activist organisations coordinate international volunteer networks on the ground to accompany farmers and help reduce attacks. SAPO noted that the case arises in a context of strong tension in the West Bank, where harvest campaigns have frequently been accompanied by heightened security measures and incidents involving Palestinian residents, activists and international observers.

What happens next

The two are due to be deported on Friday, 9 October, and the foreign ministry expects them to arrive in Portugal the same day. Israeli authorities have not explained the detentions. The Portuguese foreign ministry said it continues to follow the situation of the detained citizens. The journalists' union said it will report the case to European and international journalist federations.