Olive Trees Ecocide

The average lifespan of an olive tree is 300-600 years, but some can live as long as 3,000 years.

UN says, "Israeli ?settlers cut down olive trees amid 'war-like' West Bank campaign." In total, upwards of 600 mainly olive trees have been burnt, vandalized or stolen.

The olive tree is probably the most frequently mentioned plant in the Old Testament, nearly 25 times, 160 times as oil (zayt) in the Tanach, and 18 ?times in the New Testament.

Olive trees are used symbolically as peace, prosperity, beauty and the relationship between God and His people.

The olive tree is one of the most important trees in Judaism and Jewish culture, as one the 'Seven Species' listed in (Deuteronomy 8:8).

The olive tree has also been praised as a blessed tree and fruit in the Holy Quran. Olives (Zaitūn), are mentioned at least in 7 ayat.

The olive tree is referred to as the “tree of life,” because of the white pigeon that returned to Noah's ark after the flood had an olive branch in its mouth. The Naturlink website parallels the existence of olive trees in history, to tradition and culture of the Mediterranean people.

They're tough, equipped to handle drought, sub-zero temperatures, frost and even fire, olive trees are extraordinarily resilient. Their roots are so strong that they can re-grow even when it seems like they've been totally decimated.

According to the New Yorker, since 1967, more than 800,000 Palestinian olive trees have been illegally uprooted by Israeli authorities and settlers...

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Food for thought!