The Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN) condemned the announcement by the Palestinian Minister of Agriculture Riyad Attari stating that the ministry intends to import 3,600 tons of pickled olives from the Israeli entity as well as Jordan and Egypt.

APN expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the minister's statement, especially with the news confirming the abundance of olive crops this year in Palestine, traditionally referred to as a “golden year”, neccessitating imports according to Palestinian farmers.

Mariam Al Jaajaa, APN’s General Manager, stated that instead of resorting to the usurper entity that continues to persecute Palestinian farmers and attempts to sabotage, confiscate and cut down trees, the ministry should strive to empower and support olive farmers in all ways to meet the needs of the Palestinian market.

Al Jaajaa demanded the Palestinian Minister to withdraw the decision to import from the occupation, in solidarity with the masses of farmers who are against it. It is worth mentioning that APN is one of the most prominent organizations that seek to support Palestinian farmers in their lands through its “Million Tree” program in Palestine. It has succeeded since the launching year 2003 in planting two and half million fruit-bearing trees across Palestine.