A program for Civil International Solidarity with Palestinians
The Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine and the Alternative Tourism Group
2010 will be the 7th year in which the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (JAI) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) organize the annual Olive Picking Program in Palestine in October 16th to 25th 2010. This event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy when all energies and efforts are mobilized.
Since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by the Israeli policies of repression, closure, blockage of streets, confiscation of agricultural lands, as well as repeated attacks against Palestinian farmers by Israeli settlers. Now with the construction the Apartheid Wall and the continuous expansion of Israeli settlements at the expense of agricultural land in the occupied Palestine, many farmers are separated from their trees, and help is most needed.
Buildings on experience from previous years, the JAI and the ATG have planned a program 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. Also, the event has brought up awareness to hundreds of people from many countries around the world about real life under the Israeli Military Occupation, and the experience itself was referred to by several participants as a life changing one. You too are invited to join us for this event.
Besides picking olives, the program will feature introductory presentations about the organizing institutions, the current situation in Palestine and the effect of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a tour of Hebron, cultural evenings and social gatherings.
Olive Picking 2010 - Proposed schedule
Day One - Saturday 16/10/2010: Arrival. Meeting representatives from the organizing institutions for an overview and discussion of the program.
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour (near Bethlehem)
Day Two - Sunday 17/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
After lunch, political tour and sightseeing in Bethlehem, including the visit of a refugee camp. Dinner, followed by screening of a documentary at Jadal / Alternative Information Center (AIC)
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Three - Monday 18/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field, followed by lunch.
Meeting at The Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) for a presentation on the Apartheid Wall and land confiscation. Visiting an olive press
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Four - Tuesday 19/10/2010: Tour in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Lunch, followed by a settlement tour around Jerusalem with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD).
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Five - Wednesday 20/10/2010: free day
Day Six - Thursday: 21/10/2010: A tour in the old city of Hebron. Visiting the Ibrahimi Mosque. Meeting with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) for a presentation about the situation in Hebron.
Lunch. Visiting a glass factory. Free time
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Seven - Friday 22/10/2010: a full day of picking olives at a selected field, lunch included.
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Eight - Saturday 23/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
Dinner followed by a presentation on the refugee questions with BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugees' Rights
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Nine - Sunday 24/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a field. Lunch
Evaluation meeting with institutions' representatives, followed by a musical evening.
Overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Ten - Monday 25/10/2010: departure.
To learn more about previous seasons please go to:
Olive Picking 2009
Olive Picking 2008
Olive Picking 2007
Olive Picking 2006
You can also watch a 10 minutes film about the event.
Also, you can see a Short film about the Olive Tree Campaign, and watch on Youtube
To learn more about other programs please go to
Olive Planting 2010
Olive Planting 2009
Olive Planting 2008
More Information:
- The cost of the program including accommodation in a double room, meals, guides, local transportation and other relevant expenses is $620.
- Accommodation can be arranged at a hotel or with a local family.
- A tour guide will be present with the group at all times for facilitation purposes.
- Travel from and to the airport is not included in the cost but can be arranged for groups.
For any other information, questions, concerns, or to request a registration form, please contact:
- Baha Hilo, Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine, campaigns officer, via email at: olivetree@jai-pal.org or by phone at (+970) 2 2774540.
- Jawad Musleh, Alternative Tourism Group, program coordinator, via email at: jawad@atg.ps or by phone at (+970) 2 2772151
We hope to have you with us!
