An Israeli rabbi's ruling on Palestinian olives draws criticism as harvest attacks go on

Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling on Friday allowing Jews to pick olives from Palestinian orchards in the West Bank, calling it an “additional virtue”.

Who rejected the ruling

• Gush Etzion settlements' religious council
• Tzohar, a group of 800 Orthodox rabbis
• Knesset member Gilad Kariv

Other religious voices rejected it: the Gush Etzion settlements' rabbinical council called it theft, and Tzohar, a group of 800 Orthodox rabbis, said only the state can confiscate property.

Attacks on Palestinian harvesters on Friday

34 attacks

On Friday, at least 19 people were hurt in 34 attacks by the Israeli military and settlers on Palestinians harvesting their crops across the West Bank.

On Saturday, settlers attacked residents of Ma'in village, south of Hebron, injuring six people, including four women and a child, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said.

Why it matters

Lior is the spiritual guide of the Jewish Power party of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Israel holds elections on Oct 27.