Field surveys during the 1986–87 growing season throughout the West Bank and part of the Gaza Strip concentrated on the distribution, ecology, hosts and control of the parasitic generaOrobanche(broomrape),Cuscuta(dodder), andViscum(mistletoe). The most widespread parasitic weed isOrobanche ramosawhich can attack a great diversity of hosts but is most damaging on tomato, potato, and lettuce.Orobanche crenataheavily damages broad‐bean. Control ofOrobancheon large farms is almost exclusively by application of methyl bromide while small farmers attempt control with hand weeding.Cuscuta pedicellatais frequently found in lentils andVicia sativaa widely grown fodder crop.Viscum cruciatummay be locally damaging to olive and almond but attacks a diversity of hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first survey of parasitic weeds in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.