Planting new olive trees in Palestine
There is one very practical way in which we can all give practical support and assistance to families suffering from the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories – by joining the campaign of ‘Keep Hope Alive’. This campaign raises money to purchase and plant new olive trees.
Since 2002 the Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza have uprooted, burnt and destroyed more than 550,000 olive trees that belong to Palestinian farmers and land owners – trees that have survived hundreds and thousands of years.
The East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine Joint Advocacy Initiative’s Olive Tree Campaign, with support from Y Care International, aims to re-plant olive trees in areas destroyed or threatened with confiscation by the Israeli military Occupation and settlers.
I try to get out to Bethlehem… to help with the olive harvest in orchards close to the Wall and Jewish settlements. Palestinians here have difficulties of access and face harassment. But there is one very practical way in which we can all make a fundamental and physical difference to the situation – by joining the campaign of ‘Keep Hope Alive’ in Palestine. This campaign raises money to purchase and plant new olive trees. In this way we can give practical support and assistance to our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Denys De la Hoyed
Olive Tree Sponsor
Keeping Hope Alive
Through replanting olive trees, Palestinians are encouraged to keep hope alive and to reaffirm their commitment to work constructively towards justice and peace-building.
So far the campaign has planted more than 90,000 olive trees in hundreds of fields in the West Bank and Gaza. The trees planted have helped the farmers keep their land, confront the unjust Israeli military practices and raise awareness of what is happening to Palestinians in this troubled area.
You can support Palestinian farmers by sponsoring the replanting of an olive tree for £20 per tree. Please donate online or send a cheque to ‘Olive Tree Campaign – Y Care International’, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.
Every sponsor receives a certificate of appreciation, in addition to having their names put up on a plaque in the field where their trees are planted.
Find out more about the Joint Advocacy Initiative by visiting their website at www.jai-pal.org
