IDF Forces Guard Palestinian Olive Harvesters
IDF Spokesperson 3 November 2002

IDF Forces are preparing to guard Palestinian olive harvesters in order to
protect the olive groves for their natural resources and in order to prevent
terrorist activities protected by the groves in the area.

As part of the groundwork, several IDF personnel approached the Palestinian
population through the Coordinator of Government Activities in the
Territories. The IDF personnel informed them that the they have every
intention to allow harvesting in locations adjacent to Israeli residential
areas in the area of Samara under the condition that they are coordinated
beforehand in order that the Security Forces will be able to secure the
harvesting.

In areas in which the Palestinian olive harvesting was coordinated
beforehand, including areas situated several yards away from Israeli
residential areas, the IDF deployed it's forces in order to secure the
harvesting and no disturbances to the harvesting occurred.

Security sources reported that as part of IDF's war on terror, a clear
definition is made between the terrorists and the terror infrastructure
which the IDF is battling against and the Palestinian civilian population
which Israeli forces have no intent of harming. This in order to ensure the
safety and the well being of the innocent Palestinian population whilst
fighting terror.