5th, February 2008
Field condition and farmer struggle:
The day started by heading towards Al-Khader village, as to plant trees in a field threatened to be confiscated by the expansion of the 200 m away illegally constructed colony "Neve Daniel" in the year 1982. The land-owner and his family, who are from Hussan village near Bethlehem, used to live in a house next to the field, however, they were forbidden to have electricity, telephone line or any services to be provided to them. This forced them to leave the house, keeping their work going at the field.
In the way - refugee camp and gate:
In the way to the field, Dhaisha refugee camp was explained about while passing by, as well as road that used to link Jerusalem with Hebron. The bus passed by the gate and watch tower separating Al-Khader village from the settlers bypass road, while the participants had the chance to witness the newly constructed settlements' bases on the top of some mountains.
The farmer and his family:
Getting to the field, the land owner, Naim Abdel Rahman Fannoun (Abu Nua'man) – a man in his 50s, welcomed the participants together with around 20-30 members of his family: brothers and their families, sons and daughters, grand sons and grand daughters.
The 5 donums field forms one the major incomes, together with other fields they own, for his and his 6 brothers' families. They used to have a stone carving factory at the field before it got destroyed by the Israeli soldiers when the settlement was constructed.
Israeli soldiers presence:
Four Israeli soldiers' jeeps came to thie field, asked questions to the land owner and kept watching the progress for hours before they left.
Planting and lunch:
After illustration from the farmer on how to plant the trees: digging and planting, the participants worked together wit the farmer' family to plant 160 trees in the field. Some members of the family worked in the planting while others were pleased to share their stories and interact with the participants. After planting lunch was served, prepared by the farmer' family, after which the participants thanked the farmer and his family for receiving them, their hospitality and encouraged them to keep hope alive and keep in mind that there are people from various countries in the world supporting their justice struggle and will spread out the word. The farmer and his family in turn thanked the participants for their help and support, inviting them to come again and to deliver the Palestinian message and struggle back to their countries and communities.
Land confication presentation:
Afternoon schedule was a visit to the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ), where the participants had a very informative presentation about the history and progressiveness of Palestinian land confiscation by the Israeli authorities, occupation effects and danger on the environment, land and water resources in Palestine.
A participant reflection:
Libby – 72 years old – Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, USA
Q: What made you decide to come to Palestine and plant olive trees?
Libby: The American media is biased, as it tells one side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict story. I and my husband started to read alternative tourism, and discover realities. We knew about the oppression and injustice of the occupation against the Palestinians.
So, the idea came as to take and action, rather than just listening and knowing, and we decided to come to Palestine and help Palestinian farmers keep their hope alive. We proposed the idea to some friends from our church community who showed interest and willingness to join. We heard about the JAI Olive Tree Campaign and contacted them to organize an olive picking program.
Q: What do you hope to achieve for the locals and internationals?
Libby: We are hoping to help local farmers, make them hopeful with people from various courtiers supporting them, knowing their stories and unjust struggle, and the occupation mentality. Back in our country and community, by learning about all this on the ground, we will work to deliver the message to others, by making lectures in schools, libraries and churches. We will encourage them, as well, to come to Palestine, meet and get to know and integrate with people.
There are already districts' communities of our church who heard about the program and are willing to join in the coming JAI olive picking and planting programs.
