Olive Tree Planting Program 2015
The Tree Planting Program is a solidarity program with the Palestinian farmers through planting olive trees in lands that are threatened to be expropriated by the Israeli occupation or the Israeli colonizers.
A program for Civil International Solidarity with Palestinians
7-16 February, 2015
The Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) and the JAI are organizing the 8th Olive Planting Program – February 2015.
On behalf of the ATG and JAI, you are invited to participate in the 8th annual olive planting program, which will take place from 7-16 February 2015.
Agricultural experts in Palestine estimate that over a million olive trees have been uprooted and destroyed by Israel since it was created in 1948. More than half of these olive trees were uprooted and destroyed in the past decade.
Disrespecting its religious, cultural, natural, nutritious and economic value, the olive tree has been a constant target of the Israeli military occupation under the guise of security, the construction of the Wall on Palestinian lands and the continuous expansion of Israeli – Jewish only – colonies (settlements). The destruction of olive trees has had intentional and destructive results on the lives of many Palestinian farmers, land owners and the Palestinian population in general.
For these reasons and many others, the Olive Tree Campaign was launched in 2001 as a positive response to systematic destruction by addressing the needs of the effected farmers. The Olive Tree Campaign uses the olive tree as a tool to advocate for the Palestinians right to peace with justice. So far 10 seasons of planting have helped hundreds of Palestinian farmers and brought awareness to the expanding international network of friends and partners about the real life of the Palestinians who have been striving for peace with justice for more than 60 years. You are all encouraged to pass the word about this event to people who might be interested come to Palestine and to participate.
Besides olive planting, the program features introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effects of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, as well as Ramallah, in addition to cultural events and social gatherings.