Invitation for Olive Picking in Palestine

A program for Civil International Protection of Palestinian Farmers

The Palestinian olive harvest, from late October through November, has a significant place in the Palestinian agricultural economy. All energies are mobilised during the olive harvest period. Since 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by Israeli policies of repression, closure, blockage of streets, confiscation of agricultural lands, repeated attacks against Palestinian farmers by the Israeli army and settlers, and finally by the construction of the Apartheid Wall.

An urgent plan is launched this year by a number of Palestinian associations - East Jerusalem YMCA, the Alternative Tourism Group, the Environmental Educational Centre, and YWCA Palestine. The initiative aims to help Palestinian farmers to harvest their olives. The objective of this project is to mobilise as many people as possible in the olive fields, in particular those areas that are situated in proximity of Israeli settlements and by-pass roads and Apartheid Wall.

Palestine is the country of olives. The olive tree is an ancient source of nutrition, basic livelihood and a great symbol to the Palestinians. It is considered as a holy tree – it is mentioned sixteen times in the Bible and eleven times in the Quran. The olive tree is also a symbol of peace that Palestinians are longing for. About 13 million olive trees grow in Palestine on more than 70% of the agricultural lands, showing the significance of this tree in Palestinian life. The olive tree also has value in traditional industries such as soap - manufactured in Nablus - and olivewood handicrafts - made in the Bethlehem area. All of this makes the olive tree the main vein of Palestinian life and culture.

We are calling for an international mobilisation for those activists that support Palestinian people and our legitimate rights. This program is designed to break the isolation of Palestinian villages and to bring effective help to Palestinian farmers in the form of international civil protection.

The campaign program will take place in the Bethlehem area, particularly in the villages and areas that are threatened with confiscation. The olive groves are close to Israeli settlements and are difficult for Palestinian people to difficult to reach due to the current situation. The program lasts for up to ten days and participation is open to anybody.

There will also be an Olive Harvest Festival in the evenings, until mid November. During the festival, buyers and producers meet to trade olive products such as olive oil and olivewood handicrafts.