From G u s h - S h a l o m d o t o r g
Anarchists against Fence, Gush Shalom, The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, The Campus is not Silent, Yesh Gvul, Machsom Watch, New Profile, Women’s Coalition for Peace, The Association for Cooperation and Empowerment, Ta’ayush-Arab-Jewish Partnership.
Planting in the West Bank – Sabbath 18.2.06 (and during the week) The feast El Shadjara, (Tree), according to the Palestinian tradition and 15th of Shevat according to the Jewish tradition.
Background: Since beginning of the second Intifada hundreds of thousands of olive and fruit trees have been uprooted, cut down or burned, throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The majority of the trees were uprooted in compliance with the policy of the occupation authorities during the “stripping” operations in the Gaza Strip and the construction of the security barrier at the West Bank. Many thousands of olive and fruit trees at villages adjoining settlements were destroyed by settlers. The trees were cut or burned down during hatred and evil outbreaks, the security forces in charge failing to even lift a finger in an attempt to check those incidents.
Presently, the chief concern is for the isolated zones west to the security barrier, where the State is attempting to annex property and where real-estate sharks plan to pocket millions upon millions, on account of the Palestinian land. Unilateral steps for establishing new settlements can be nowadays observed at areas such as the construction zone of Modi’in Ilit, located on land belonging to the village Bil’in and also near Zofin settlement, on land belonging to the village Ja’ayus.
An imminent danger to agriculture and property is caused by limiting the access of Palestinians to their own land. Cut away by the security barrier, natural disasters add to the inability to grow vegetables in greenhouses, due to lack of water. Added to this is the Ottoman Law which Israel had adopted and which stipulates that agricultural land that has not been cultivated for three years shall become a State the property.
Goal: Joining the farmers from the villages adjacent to the separation barrier and also those farmers in the villages adjacent to the settlements, we shall begin to plant and rehabilitate the crippled olive groves. Thus we shall assist the farmers in earning their livelihood, in keeping their land in Palestinian hands, and finally in preventing their transferring from their home-villages for many generations.
Execution
In coordination with the Popular Committees of the villages, we shall purchase thousands of olive tree plants in order to plant them during the week from 12th to the 18th of February.
We plan the participation of a small number of volunteers during the weekdays and a large scale participation on Sabbath the 18.2.06.
Budget: The costs of the project are several thousand shekels which will be obtained from the organizations as well as from individual donations. We hope to receive 5,000 NS via individual donations. You are encouraged to purchase a single or a multiple number of plants in your name and in the name of your loved ones, for the price of 20 shekel per plant.
Donations may be sent by check to the order of “Mate Ha’koalitzia”, P.O.Box 1335, Kfar Saba, 44113 or to Account No. 119442, Bank Hapoalim, Branch 679, (Tchernichovsky Street, Kfar Saba) - for ‘Mate Ha’koalitzia.’
NB: Take into account that for each incoming international bank transfer the Israeli bank deducts bank fees which makes it inadvisable for sums under $100. If sending a check is not an option, you may consider to send some cash, wrapped well in an extra sheet of paper. If you need a confirmation, please write it explicitly, adding your email address in the same envelope.
Notices about identification and participation by telephone to:
Yaacov – 050-573 3276, David-052-2991379, Amos-052-6035685
Or via e-mail: manor12@zahav.net.il
The Organizing Committee
3322 Aviv GUSH SHALOM
Your donation helps making our voice loud
Please, send checks in your own currency – for confirmation of receipt include email address
In several countries tax-exemption can be obtained by donating through local charities
For specific information, write to info@gush-shalom.org.
Browse Timeline
Related Entries
-
Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance...Message from Huwaida on Lebanon convoy...Live, from Lebanon...Statement from Craig and Cindy Corrie...Human Rights Watch retracts statement on nonviolent resistance in Gaza...
Recently commented