Archive for May, 2008
Olive Picking Campaign 2008
For the fifth season, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (JAI) and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) are organizing the annual Olive Picking Program in Palestine which will take place from the 25th of October to the 3rd of November 2008. This agricultural event is of special significance to the Palestinian economy when all energies and efforts are mobilized.
Since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by Israel’s policies of repression, such as closures, blockage of streets, confiscation of agricultural lands, as well as repeated attacks against Palestinian farmers by Israeli settlers. Now with the construction the Apartheid Wall at the expense of agricultural land, many farmers are separated from their olive trees.
Building on experience from previous years, JAI and ATG have planned a program for civil international solidarity with Palestinian people and farmers. The objective of this program is to mobilize international volunteers to assist in picking olive in fields that are situated in proximity of Israeli settlements and bypass roads. In these areas, an international presence is often needed in order to help Palestinian farmers to access their olive groves which are in danger of being confiscated.
Besides picking olives, the program will feature introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effect of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the Old City of Jerusalem, in Bethlehem and Hebron, in addition to cultural events and social gatherings.
We are looking forward to your participation!
Olive Picking 2008 proposed schedule*:
Day One: Saturday 25/10/2008: Arrival at the airport and transfer to Bethlehem to meet representatives from the organizing institutions for an overview and discussion of the program.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Two Sunday 26/10/2008: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
After lunch, political tour and sightseeing in Bethlehem, including the visit of a refugee camp. Followed by the screening of a documentary at Jadal / Alternative Information Center (AIC).
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Three. Monday 27/10/2008: Half day picking olives at a selected field, followed by lunch.
Meeting at ARIJ (Applied Research Institute Jerusalem) for a presentation on the Apartheid Wall and land confiscation. Visiting an olive press.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Four Tuesday 28/10/2008: Tour in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Welcome and lunch at the YWCA headquarters in Jerusalem followed by a settlement tour around Jerusalem with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD).
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Five Wednesday 29/10/2008: A tour in the old city of Hebron through the market and how it is affected by Israeli settlers. Meeting with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee. Lunch followed by a half day picking olives at a selected field.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Six Thursday 30/10/2008: Free Day (optional olive picking or tours)
Day Seven Friday 31/10/2008: Olive picking at a selected field with lunch.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Eight Saturday 01/11/2008: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
Meeting with representatives from the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine.
Dinner followed by an optional presentation on the refugee questions with BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugees’ Rights
Overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Nine Sunday 02/11/2008: Half day picking olives at a field. Optional time for worship.
Evaluation meeting with institutions representatives followed by a musical evening and farewell dinner with staff members and volunteers.
Overnight in Bethlehem.
Day Ten Monday 03/11/2008: Transfer to the airport for departure.
* Proposed Schedule is subject to minor changes.
More Information:
· The cost of the 10 days program including accommodation, meals, and local transportation is 620 USD.
· Accommodation (in double rooms) will be arranged at a hotel or with a local family.
· A tour guide will be present with the group at all times for facilitation purposes.
· Travel from and to the airport is not included in the cost but can be arranged for groups.
For any other information, questions, concerns, or to request a registration form, please contact:
Baha Hilo, Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine, campaigns officer, via email at: olivetree@jai-pal.org or by phone at (+970) 2 2774540.
Jawad Musleh, Alternative Tourism Group, program coordinator, via email at: jawad@atg.ps or by phone at (+970) 2 2772151.
Visit our websites: http://www.jai-pal.org and http://www.atg.ps.