Olive Tree Campaign

Since 2001 the Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza have uprooted, burnt and destroyed more than 548,000 olive trees that belong to Palestinian farmers and land owners – trees that have survived hundreds and thousands of years.

Planting olive trees in teams  AlWalaja village - West of Bethlehem.

www.jai-pal.org

The East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA’s Joint Advocacy Initiative’s campaign, with support from Y Care International, aims to replant olive trees in areas destroyed or threatened with confiscation by the Israeli military Occupation and settlers.

Through replanting olive trees, Palestinians are encouraged to keep hope alive and to reaffirm their commitment to work constructively towards peace-building.

So far the campaign has planted more than 50,000 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.

Planting olive trees in AlWalaja village - West of Bethlehem

www.jai-pal.org

Denys De la Hoyed, a sponsor of the scheme, says: “I try to get out to Bethlehem in October…to help with the olive harvest in orchards close to the Wall and Jewish settlements where Palestinians 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".

You too can support Palestinian farmers and keep hope alive by sponsoring the replanting of an olive tree for £14 per tree. You can do this by completing the online form below or by sending a cheque to ‘Olive Tree Campaign - Y Care International’, Kemp House, 152 – 160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NP.

You can find out more about the Joint Advocacy Initiative by visiting their website at www.jai-pal.org