Olive planting program

The JAI-ATG Olive Planting Program, part of the JAI Olive Tree Campaign, lasts for 10 days in February each year, where people of any age and background from all over the world can join.

Participants are given the opportunity to listen to Palestinian farmers’ stories of how their properties are threatened by settlers, the Apartheid Wall, bypass roads or Israeli settlement expansions.

They plant a selection of the trees sponsored that season, usually 4 fields with approximately 400 olive trees in each.

In addition to planting, the participants get a chance to visit the Palestinian towns of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Hebron and Ramallah. They also meet with Palestinian organizations that provide information on conflict-related issues.

32 internationals from 13 countries complete the Olive Planting Program 2016

Category: Olive planting program
Created: 15 February 2016

Planting2016 1tSee more photos and watch short clip on the Program.

Lasted from the 6th to the 15th of February 2016, 32 internationals from 13 countries have completed the JAI-ATG jointly organized annual Olive Planting Program. The program comes under the JAI' ongoing Olive Tree Campaign, and aimed at helping farmers and their families maintain their land, provide them with protective presence against Israeli settlers and soldiers attacks, show solidarity and Keep Hope Alive for them.

The Program this year came under high tension in Palestine due to the increasing Israeli settlers and soldiers attacks, which resulted in increasing demonstrations and popular resistance by the Palestinians. Hence, to accomplish the program with such a number of participants is a great success.

Planting2016 2tIn addition to planting around 1,500 internationally sponsored olives through the campaign in four threatened fields in three villages in the Bethlehem area, the program also included exposure guided tours to various areas and town including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah.

Professional presentations were also given to the participants in some afternoons and evenings on main issues related to the Israeli occupation and conflict related, as well as Palestinian and international campaigns which puts pressure on Israeli towards ending occupation, including the Kairos Palestine and the Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions (BDS) Campaign.

Planting2016 3tWith all such experiences and information, participants also listened to many farmer and personal stories of life under occupation and incidents people had, which they would take with them to their countries, communities, movements, congregations and solidarity groups. During the program, an advocacy session was also conducted which discussed potential actions and campaigns for Palestine the participants could organize or join in their homes.

 

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