The Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign and its popular committees are coordinating collective efforts to safeguard the annual olive harvest and are calling on volunteers to stand in solidarity with Palestinian communities and join in the harvest on October 5 until November 15, 2010.
The harvesting of the olives is becoming more difficult every year as farmers face an intensification of settler attacks, as well as the confiscation, isolation and destruction of their lands, and continued closure and permit restrictions. All of which have led to the strangulation of Palestinian communities across the West Bank. Local farmers have refused to be forced off their land, and continue the harvest each year in the face violence and repression from both soldiers and settlers.
Olive harvests excel in alternate years, this year being a good year. The harvest of this yearâs olives is an important pillar for the Palestinian economy, which continues to be assaulted by the occupation and its policies. Therefore your effort in participating in the harvest is crucial.
Your participation is not only critical to help physically bring in the harvest, but to also be a witness to what is happening on the ground. As the Wall continues to be built and settler violence is on the rise, your presence is needed to witness what is happening, and document it for the international community.
This year, we will be focusing our efforts again on various hot spots throughout the West Bank. Last year, attacks on farmers increased, with dozens injured during attacks led by soldiers and settlers. One of the Palestinian farmers, Mohammed Abdrahman Quawariq, from the village of âAwarta near Nablus, was killed during the harvest fleeing repression of the Israeli military. To see the full 2009 Olive Harvest Report, click here.
The collective efforts during the olive harvest, a vital season for Palestinian farmers and villages, have become a symbol for Palestinian steadfastness and solidarity. International volunteers are encouraged to join groups of Palestinian students and harvest olives alongside farmers and their families in the threatened villages.
For information on local and national activities, harvesting locations or general queries, please contact the Stop the Wall offices. Housing can be arranged for volunteers wishing to stay and join in a particular villageâs harvest.
The Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign
To be part of the olive harvest efforts, contact us at:
Tel: +972-2-2971505
Email: global@stopthewall.org