21st - 30th October 2007
Once again, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (JAI) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) are organizing an Olive Picking Program in Palestine between the 21st of October and 30th of October, 2007.
36 participants from various countries including United States, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland.
This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy when all energies and efforts are mobilized.
Building on experience from previous years, a program was planned for civil international solidarity with Palestinian people and farmers. The objective of this program is to mobilize as many people as possible for olive picking, especially in areas that are situated in proximity to Israeli settlements and bypass roads, in order to help Palestinian farmers harvest their olive trees which they might be unable to do without international support.
For reflections from participants, see the bottom of this page
Olive Picking 2007 schedule:
- Sunday 21/10/2007:
Arrival to the airport and transfer to Bethlehem to meet representatives from the organizing institutions for an overview and discussion of the program. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Monday 22/10/2007:
Picking olives at a selected field followed by lunch. Cultural evening at Jadal / Alternative Information Center (AIC). Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Tuesday 23/10/2007:
Half day picking olives at a selected field followed by lunch. Meeting at ARIJ (Applied Research Institute Jerusalem) for a presentation on the Apartheid Wall and land confiscation. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Wednesday 24/10/2007:
Half day picking olives at a selected field. A tour in the Bethlehem area to show realities of the Israeli occupation such as refugee camps, the Wall, Bypass roads and fences, settlements, destroyed houses, etc. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Thursday 25/10/2007:
A tour in the old city of Jerusalem. Welcome and lunch at the YWCA headquarters in Jerusalem followed by an ICAHD settlement tour around Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Friday 26/10/2007: Free Day
- Saturday 27/10/2007:
Half day picking olives at a selected field. Meeting with representatives from the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine for an introduction and overview of the Olive Tree Campaign. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Sunday 28/10/2007:
Half day picking olives at a selected field. Lunch followed by a tour in the old city of Hebron through the market and how it is affected by Israeli settlers. A meeting with a co-organizing institute followed by dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. - Monday 29/10/2007:
Half day picking olives at the fields. Evaluation meeting with institutions representatives followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with staff members and volunteers. Overnight in Bethlehem. - Tuesday 30/10/2006: Transfer to the airport for departure.
Reflection from an Olive picking Program Participant
By: Joop Hoekstra - The Netherlands
Read reflection in Swedish by participant Anita Andersson
Reflection in Dutch by Soetkin from Belgium
Experience sharing in Dutch by Soetkin from Belgium
A reflection by an American participant - The Wall
A reflection by an American participant - Alternative Tourism - Olive Picking in Palestine
A reflection by an American participant - A long commute ...
A reflection by an American participant - working for the environment, for children
Read and see photos of last years' programs:
Olive Picking Program 2006 and its video
Olive picking Program 2005
Ibrahim Hannouneh
Media / Exchange Programs Coordinator
Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI)
