Olive picking program

The Olive Picking Program is organized each fall for 10 days, in coordination with the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG).

This Olive Picking Program aims to provide assistance and a protective civil international presence for Palestinian families to help them overcome the restrictions imposed by the Israeli military occupation and settlers during the olive harvest season.

In addition to their picking activities the participants developed a social, cultural, political, historic and religious understanding of the region, witnessed life under occupation, and shared advocacy ideas and tools.

Invitation - JAI-ATG Olive Picking Program 2017

Category: Olive picking program
Created: 04 February 2017

Picking2017 Inv14th (arrival) - 23rd (departure) October 2017 
West Bank, Palestine 

Register online now


A program for Civil International Solidarity with Palestinians

The JAI together with the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) are organizing the 14th annual Olive Picking Program of 2017. This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy when all energies and efforts are mobilized.

Besides olive picking, the program features introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effects of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bethlehem, in addition to evening sessions, cultural event and social gatherings.

Read about

The JAI Olive Tree Campaign
The Olive Picking Program and last years' programs' reports.
Reported attacks on farmers and land in Palestine.
Attacks on Olive Tree Campaign' planted fields.
Olive Picking 2016 video.

More Information:

  • An optional evening program will also be organized during the Picking Program, which includes film screenings or professional presentations on certain topics related to Palestinian life under occupation related international campaigns.

  • The cost of the program including accommodation in a double room, meals, guides, local transportation and other relevant expenses is $700. Requesting a single room at the hotel would cost the participant $200 Extra. Any extra night(s) accommodation (before the night of the 13th/14th of October, or after the night of the 22nd/23rd of October 2017) is beyond the scope of the program and the participant has to pay extra for.

  • 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 (100 USD per person for each drive).

  • Please do NOT fill and submit the registration form before booking your ticket, in order to fill your arrival and departure information in the same record.

  • Upon registration, you are automatically admitted to participate in the program (without having to wait for confirmation from our side), and you will receive further information / replies accordingly.

Proposed daily schedule (subjected to minor changes)

  • Saturday, Oct 14, Day 1: Arrival. Meeting representatives from the organizing institutions for an overview and discussion of the program.

  • Sunday, Oct 15, Day 2: Half day picking olives at a selected field. After lunch, political tour and sightseeing in Bethlehem, including the visit of a refugee camp. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Monday, Oct 16, Day 3: A tour in the old city of Hebron. Visiting the Ibrahimi Mosque. Guided tour in Hebron old city, market, H1/H2 areas, Shuhada street. Visiting a glass factory. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Tuesday, Oct 17, Day 4: Half day picking olives at a selected field in, followed by Presentation on the onging displcamenet, the refugee questions with BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugees' Rights. Dinner and Overnight in Bethlehem. 

  • Wednesday, Oct 18, Day 5: free day.

  • Thursday, Oct 19, Day 6: Half day picking olives at a selected field, followed by lunch. Geopolitical presentation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humaniterian Affairs in the oPt., for a presentation on the Apartheid Wall and land confiscation. Visiting an olive press. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Friday, Oct 20, Day 7: Full day of picking olives at a selected field, lunch included. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Saturday, Oct 21, Day 8: Tour in the Old City of Jerusalem. Lunch, followed by a a tour with Israeli activist around Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Sunday, Oct 22, Day 9: Half day picking olives at a field. Lunch. Advocacy session and future planning. Evaluation meeting with institutions' representatives, followed by a musical evening. Overnight in Bethlehem.

  • Monday, Oct 23, Day 10: Departure.


It is our pleasure that people are taking part in our mission in Keeping Hope Alive together and to learn more about daily Palestinian life under the Israeli military occupation.

For any other information or question, please contact:

  • Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine, campaigns officer, via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (+970) 2 2774540.
  • Alternative Tourism Group, program coordinator, via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (+970) 2 2772151.

 

We hope to have you with us!

 

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About Us

A joint program of East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine, works for Peace with Justice in Palestine, based on Humanitarian and Christian Values, by mobilizing the world movements of YMCA and YWCA, churches, church-based organizations, UN agencies, and other relevant organizations to influence decision-makers and prompt actions that contribute to end Israeli occupation and all its violations of International Law.