BETHLEHEM, West Bank / PNN /

Palestinian athletes preparing for the World Armwrestling Championships in India are facing travel and training restrictions, while farmers grapple with a sharp decline in grape production and mounting barriers to marketing local produce, a new episode of PNN’s Accountability programme has highlighted.

Broadcast on Palestine News Network, the programme examined the challenges facing Palestinian sports and agriculture, underscoring the importance of public accountability in addressing obstacles to development, supporting affected communities and improving livelihoods.

The episode featured Najeh al-Azza, general supervisor of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in southern Palestine, and agricultural engineer Samah Abu Haikal. They discussed preparations for international sporting competition, the impact of Israeli restrictions on Palestinian athletes, the pressures confronting farmers and efforts to strengthen local agricultural marketing, support women working in agriculture and promote Palestinian products.

Palestinian armwrestlers prepare for world championships despite restrictions

The programme’s first segment focused on preparations for the World Armwrestling Championships in India and the difficulties Palestinian athletes face, particularly restrictions on movement between cities and governorates.

A report by coach and former world champion Afram Zanbil examined the Palestinian team’s physical and technical preparations. The delegation includes athletes Mohammad al-Dajani, Abdul Rahim Dar Atleh, Thaer Diab and Mohammad Awad, who were preparing to leave for the competition following an intensive training period.

Zanbil said training had continued despite difficult conditions, including military checkpoints and Israeli movement restrictions that complicate travel between Jerusalem, Ramallah and other Palestinian areas. These restrictions disrupt regular training schedules and make it harder for athletes to access sports facilities, he said.

He also rejected the use of performance-enhancing drugs and hormones in sport, stressing the importance of developing athletes through structured training, sound nutrition and natural nutritional supplements rather than prohibited substances that can harm their health and undermine fair competition.

The Palestinian Armwrestling Federation, headed by Fares Hijazi, is working to develop the sport and prepare athletes to represent Palestine internationally while upholding sporting and ethical standards, Zanbil said.

Al-Azza said preparations had reached their final stages and expressed hope that the Palestinian athletes would achieve strong results and win gold medals, adding to the country’s sporting achievements.

He described the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports as a key body supporting Palestinian sport through its work with the Palestinian Olympic Committee and sports federations, including efforts to strengthen their capacity and help athletes compete at home and abroad.

Al-Azza cited recent individual achievements, including Palestinian karate champion Mariam Bisharat’s gold medal, as evidence of young Palestinians’ potential to excel internationally despite difficult circumstances.

He estimated that about 1,000 athletes in Palestine practise armwrestling, reflecting growing interest in the sport and the need for continued investment to develop it and identify new talent.

Israeli policies that fragment Palestinian territory, separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and restrict movement and travel remain among the main obstacles to the development of Palestinian sport, Al-Azza said. The restrictions limit athletes’ ability to train together and participate in international competitions.

Falling grape production adds to farmers’ economic pressures

The programme’s second segment examined the challenges facing Palestinian farmers, focusing on declining grape production, barriers to marketing agricultural goods and efforts to increase the presence of Palestinian products in local markets.

Agricultural engineer Samah Abu Haikal outlined the pressures confronting the sector and paid tribute to Palestinian farmers who continue harvesting olives and grapes and working their land despite difficult security and economic conditions.

Abu Haikal said grape production had fallen sharply this season compared with previous years. She attributed the decline to several overlapping factors, including military and settlement-related land clearing, the construction of bypass roads and the resulting loss of agricultural land and cultivated areas.

Climate change, water scarcity and rising prices for agricultural supplies have added to farmers’ financial burdens, reducing their ability to maintain production and earn adequate returns from their crops, she said.

Restrictions preventing farmers from reaching their land, amid actions by settlers and the Israeli military, pose a direct threat to the continuity of agricultural work. Abu Haikal also cited increasing reports of crop and equipment theft, which cause financial losses for farmers and their families.

She called for stronger support for the agricultural sector, including measures to protect and assist farmers and practical solutions to the production and marketing challenges they face.

Direct marketing helps farmers reach consumers

Abu Haikal highlighted the success of grape marketing days held in the Hebron and Bethlehem governorates, describing the initiatives as an important way to connect farmers directly with consumers and reduce reliance on intermediaries.

By selling their produce directly, farmers have a better chance of receiving fairer prices and retaining more of the income generated by their work, she said. Such initiatives can also help offset the costs incurred during production and marketing.

The events promote Palestinian grape varieties and raise awareness of products made from grapes, including grape molasses, malban fruit confectionery and raisins. Expanding the range of products derived from the crop can create additional economic opportunities, diversify local agricultural production and increase the value of the harvest.

Abu Haikal called for the marketing events to continue and expand to other areas and governorates, saying that promoting the consumption of Palestinian products is essential to helping farmers withstand economic pressures and overcome barriers to reaching markets.

Women perform about 85% of agricultural work, guest says

The programme also examined the role of Palestinian women in agriculture and the obstacles they face in production, marketing and access to markets.

Abu Haikal said women perform about 85% of agricultural work in Palestine, highlighting their central contribution to sustaining agricultural activity and supporting household incomes despite the challenges confronting them.

One major obstacle is women’s limited ownership of agricultural land and property, which can restrict their access to certain financing and support opportunities. Women also need greater access to training in marketing, agricultural business management and direct sales to consumers, she said.

Abu Haikal called for specialised training programmes to strengthen women farmers’ production and marketing skills, helping them manage sustainable agricultural businesses and improve their economic independence.

She also stressed the importance of developing packaged products with clear branding and consistent quality standards. Such measures could strengthen consumer confidence in products made by Palestinian women and other local producers, reduce intermediaries’ influence over marketing and pricing, and help women earn better returns for their work.

Supporting Palestinian products is essential to economic resilience

Concluding the agricultural segment, Abu Haikal described buying Palestinian products as a national responsibility and a key part of strengthening economic independence.

Supporting farmers, she said, must go beyond purchasing their crops. It requires a comprehensive system that ensures continued production and improves the competitiveness of local goods.

She called for coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, municipalities, cooperatives, the Agricultural Credit Corporation and other relevant bodies to provide the infrastructure farmers need. This includes cooling and storage facilities to preserve crop quality, reduce agricultural losses and extend the period during which produce can be marketed.

Abu Haikal also emphasised the need to strengthen agricultural insurance, giving farmers greater protection against climate-related risks and other damage affecting the sector. Such protection would help them continue working and investing in their land.

The episode concluded by stressing that Palestinian athletes and farmers are central to the community’s ability to withstand adversity and achieve progress. Supporting both sectors, the programme said, can strengthen Palestine’s presence in international sporting arenas, protect land and local production, and create wider opportunities for young people and women to contribute to development and economic independence.

This video was produced as part of the Media Support in Times of Crisis project, supported by the Palestinian Network and implemented in cooperation with Palestine Journalism Hub.