A historic rapport with war
While “environmental warfare” and “ecocide” are relatively new terms, these war tactics have long been used in history. Olive trees, vital to the livelihoods of local people, were often prime targets in times of war.
During the Peloponnesian war, Spartans cut down olives around Attica, committing what seems to be the oldest recorded attack on these trees. The destruction of olive groves, which the Greek economy rested on, led to decades of impoverishment.
Later, during the Roman empire, olive trees were highly valued for their products and properties, driving further their spread and domestication. Many technological improvements in cultivation, harvesting, oil production, and storage were achieved in this era.
However, as described in The Olive Botany and Production, during battles, olive trees were sometimes set on fire, or uprooted, depending on the time and resources available to the armies. Yet, despite centuries of invasions and wars across the globe, olive trees have survived, offering a promise for the future.
Palestinian groves: a battlefield
In recent times, Palestine has become the most prominent battlefield for olive trees. In a conflict over land between Palestine and Israel, particular war landscapes have emerged over years. This highlights two contrasting narratives shaped by two different trees: Levantine olive trees, a symbol of Palestinian heritage, and pines planted by Israelis as markers of territorial claims during their quest to “green” the desert.
Palestinians perceive planting olive trees as a statement of existence, resistance, and resilience. Yet, for decades, historic olive trees in Palestine have been uprooted or sabotaged as Israel expands settlements. Additionally, many olive groves have been designated as security zones, prohibiting the access of farmers, and deepening their forced separation from their land. These actions cause severe economic losses to the people and create long-term environmental risks. They also shake the cultural, ancestral, and emotional significance of the tree.
Escalations in Lebanon affect olives
Now in the past year, conflict in the region has spread and recent escalations in Lebanon, especially its southern part, are seeing similar tactics of environmental warfare.
The south of Lebanon is home to more than 2 million olive trees. These trees play a crucial role in the country’s self-sufficiency in olive oil. The refined end-product also gets exported to the international market in over 70 countries. As such, olive harvesting is a main contributor to the livelihoods of many Lebanese households. Moreover, on a cultural level, Lebanese people perceive olive trees as part of their ancestral heritage that gets passed down through generations.
However, the war heavily targeting the south of Lebanon has taken a heavy toll on olive groves. Israel’s use of incendiary weapons like white phosphorus means that entire ecosystems, including olive groves, are being affected. As of today, more than 60,000 century-old olive trees have been burned and destroyed since October 2023. In a recent assessment of the damage, the World Bank estimated the disruption of olive harvest to lead to US$58 million in losses. Therefore the ecocide jeopardizes food security and the livelihoods of farmers in Lebanon.
Moreover, today more than 1.2 million people are internally displaced in Lebanon. This means that people who used to care for olive trees, have been forced to abandon their land. Throughout the 2024 olive harvest season, official warnings were spread, threatening displaced people from going back to their groves.
The long-term environmental damage from the war has yet to be fully assessed. It is essential to study its impacts on soil, air, water, biodiversity, and the environment as a whole. This step would be essential to understand the extent of the destruction and guide future recovery efforts in a scientific, evidence-based manner.
Much like the Lebanese people, olive trees have long stood as a symbol of resilience and peace. Amid concerns around Lebanon’s ability to withstand ruthless aggression, hope remains deeply rooted in the land. Through collective efforts, Lebanon’s olive groves, and the farmers who care for them can recover and thrive, preserving this country for generations to come.
