2nd, November 2008
See more photos of the group day
The day started with a presentation about the areas where we had been picking olives at the hotel. We were shown photos of the areas from above as to be able to see where the settlements were located and to see the borders and the wall. This helped us to understand better why the farmers are struggling in keeping their fields. We were also told that today's olive picking was canceled due to difficulties with permission to enter. Many of the participants were disappointed.
However, for those who wanted to do something in the morning we could go to Oush Grab to do activities there. Oush Grab is a place located in Bet Sahour. It used to be a Jordanian then an Israeli military base, but now it belongs to the Palestinian authorities. There are plans to build a Palestinian hospital there as well as play grounds and gardens. Now Jewish settlers are trying to take over the area to make room for a new settlement. They have already been there to mark the territory with Israeli flags, paintings and slogans in Hebrew. We decided to go to Oush Grab to paint over what the settlers had done, and write and paint peaceful and nice things on the walls there.
Not only the group was there, many other locals and internationals living in the Bethlehem area wanted to participate. We managed to paint over or neutralize the settlers' writings and paintings, and fortunately we did not have to be confronted with any soldiers or settlers during the morning.
After a free afternoon, an evaluation session was organized in the evening at the hotel for the participants using questioners and recommendation and comments given by participants.
A Palestinian band then played some traditional music in a concert, for the while Olive Picking Program participants, Groups A and B, followed by some words and songs by Karl and Gloria, two couple participants from the United Kingdom. Some grateful words were then given to Alarabiya TV team and reporter, Maysoon Azzam, who accompanied the group day by day and reported daily at their TV Satellite Channel. This was attended by the head of the office and team in Ramallah, where the JAI Free Palestine T-short and Keep Hope Alive plate were presented to Maysoon and the head of the office, as gratitude to their efforts.
A BBQ farewell dinner was then served for people to socialize and chat before most international participants' departure on the following day.
