Olives of Peace project is the brainchild of Oded Salmon, Israeli olive senior consulter and Fares Jabi, a Palestinian Olive expert, business partners and friends, who in 2005 came to the realization that the cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians needed to be expanded and founded on trust, fair trade and personal ties.

 

Salmon and Jabi initiate a  professional seminar dedicated to adapting the global technological innovations in the olive industry to the local, traditional oil-production method practiced by growers in the region.

 

The two secured support and funding from the government of Japan, which made the participation of international experts in the seminar possible. Israeli industrialist  Stef Wertheimer hosted the event at Zur-The Association for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Export, managed by Prof. Seev Hirsch.

 

The seminar's prestigious professional profile helped convince growers on both sides to overcome their initial reservations, and over 70 Israeli and Palestinian farmers ended up taking part in the three-day event. At the conclusion of the seminar, it was decided to continue with the enterprise by providing farmers with professional counsel and holding further meetings of a similar nature.

 

A year later, the growers taking part in the project launched the Olives of Peace common brand at a ceremony attended by European ambassadors, Israeli and Palestinian officials and the industry's local and international experts.

 

The new product line was founded on the belief that good business could help promote peace; while peace could bolster with the development of the region's economy.

 

The professional experts that accompany the project maintain constant contact with the growers all year round. During the olive harvest, they purchase the best quality oils from the farmers and blend them to create low-acidity levels in oils carrying corresponding flavors and rich aromas – true to the area's long lasting tradition.

 

Olives of Peace products are sold in upscale boutiques across the world, with part of the revenues going towards sponsoring the activity of Crossroads, a foundation that operates in partnership with the company and initiates additional joint programs to improve the olive oil's quality and broaden cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.