Update on PARC–Al-Reef, Palestinian Partner for Olive Oil, Maftoul Couscous and Dates
The genocide in Palestine continues despite the so-called ceasefire with serious consequences for PARC–Al-Reef, one of Oxfam’s fair trade partners. That’s why we continue to support them through emergency aid and product sales.
The genocide in Palestine continues despite the so-called ceasefire with serious consequences for PARC–Al-Reef, one of Oxfam’s fair trade partners. That’s why we continue to support them through emergency aid and product sales.
In Palestine, the vast majority of people depend on agriculture. While Israel still benefits from a trade agreement with the EU, this is not the case for Palestinian farmers. Trading with small-scale Palestinian producers is more challenging than ever.
What Does Palestinian Partner PARC–Al-Reef Do?
At Oxfam, we strive to ensure that Palestinian farmers also have access to international markets. That’s why we work closely with our local partner PARC-Al-Reef.
PARC (Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee) is an NGO that supports agricultural projects in around 100 Palestinian villages in the West Bank. PARC is the sole shareholder of the Al-Reef cooperative, which serves as its commercial arm for export to Europe, the US, Japan, and Australia.
Since October 7: more violence, less access to land
After the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, violence has escalated in the West Bank, where our partner PARC-Al-Reef is based. The consequences for Palestinian farmers are devastating.
Find the latest figures and updates on Gaza and the occupied West Bank on Oxfam Belgium’s website.
The situation in the West Bank keeps deteriorating. Israel is accelerating settlement expansion and control over the entire occupied territory. In July, the Knesset voted for the full annexation of the West Bank. Shortly after, more than 3,400 new Israeli housing units were approved in a strategic area that threatens to cut off Palestinian communities from each other. Minister Smotrich even proposed placing 82% of the territory under Israeli administration. Since the start of the war, more than 5,000 hectares have been seized.
For farmers, survival is a daily struggle. Military checkpoints, roadblocks, and violence make movement nearly impossible. In recent months, 27 new road closures were added, limiting access to work, schools, and healthcare. Settlers are expanding illegal settlements and driving families off their land through intimidation or force. In August 2025 alone, more than 11,000 olive trees were destroyed during 1,613 recorded attacks.
On top of that, military raids, mass arrests, including 1,000 people in Tulkarm, and increasing settler violence are displacing entire communities and disrupting lives. Demolitions are also on the rise: in the first half of September alone, Israeli bulldozers destroyed the homes of 133 Palestinians.
The impact on agriculture is immense. Due to violence, movement restrictions, and extreme drought, the olive harvest is expected to be 70% lower than in a good year. And yet, olive oil accounts for a quarter of Palestinian agricultural income.
But Palestinian farmers keep resisting
Thanks to their resilience, and with support from fair trade partners like Oxfam, Al-Reef managed to process and export maftoul couscous and Medjoul dates. The date harvest looks promising: 25,300 tons compared to 22,000 last year. In November, the olive harvest began. More than 100,000 families depend on it.
What Is Oxfam België/Belgique Doing?
In addition to ongoing structural projects and programs – which continue as much as possible – we are providing humanitarian aid, sharing information, raising awareness, mobilizing for demonstrations, and advocating for political action such as a ceasefire. We are also supporting commercially. Through our 2023 promotional campaign, we raised €5,000 for the Partner Fund. With this money, Al-Reef sent food aid from the West Bank to Gaza. This aid reached Gaza on October 25, 2024.
In July 2024, Oxfam International, together with PARC (based in Gaza) and ESDC (Economic & Social Development Center of Palestine), was able to send food packages to Northern Gaza, reaching 10,800 families. Recently, we were able to donate €29,000 to the emergency fund for Gaza, set up by Gaza van PARC – Al-Reef themselves. With ‘Building hope for Gaza’ they deliver essential life-saving products to the people in Gaza.
In 2025, Oxfam Belgium was able to transfer €29,000 to PARC-Al-Reef’s “Building Hope for Gaza” fund. This money was raised through Oxfam shops or via partner fundraising.
How Does PARC–Al-Reef Work?
PARC–Al-Reef operates according to Fair Trade principles. They collaborate with other cooperatives that advocate for the interests of small-scale farmers.
Al-Reef is also committed to the sustainable development of marginalized farming communities, with a specific focus on women farmers. Thanks to support from the Partner Fund, they were able to purchase a grain mill. The result? Women’s groups can now process their grain products more efficiently. Read the full article here.
Al-Reef has also launched several solidarity initiatives, such as providing olive oil to 920 families in Gaza in 2022. They also distribute Medjoul dates to cancer patients, their families, and friends in hospitals in the occupied territories, in collaboration with the Inma’a Association for Democracy and Capacity Building.
Every year, PARC mobilizes volunteers in Belgium and internationally through its “We are with you” campaign to help with the harvest and protect against attacks.
Palestinian products
When you buy Palestinian olive oil, Medjoul dates, or maftoul couscous, you support PARC–Al-Reef directly. You contribute to a fair income for Palestinian farmers, and you show that you do not accept the current situation in the region.