THE OLIVE TREE PROJECT: UPDATE
Image credit: Franck Barske, Unsplash
THANK YOU FOR HELPING FARMERS ACROSS PALESTINE
It continues to be very difficult for Palestinian farmers in the West Bank, with a significant rise in settler attacks and threats to their livelihood. The Olive Tree Project is helping to keep hope alive.
““When you plant a tree, you believe in tomorrow.” ”
NEWS FROM THE OLIVE GROVES
OLIVE TREE PLANTING
February and March was olive planting season and although most international volunteers were unable to travel to the West Bank to take part in the olive planting, the Olive Tree Project continued with local volunteers, planting the thousands of olive trees sponsored by international donors. Embrace supporters sponsored 1,525 olive trees, which were planted around Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron and Jerusalem. You can sponsor a tree for next year’s planting season through our webshop.
RISE IN SETTLER VIOLENCE
Since the 7th October attacks by Hamas and the outbreak of war in Gaza, settler violence in the West Bank has increased significantly. Many farmers are facing intimidation, physical attacks and damage to their trees.
NIZAR’S STORY
Nizar, a 50-year-old farmer from Hebron, received 60 trees from the Olive Tree Project this year. But only a few weeks later, Israeli settlers from the nearby settlement of Asfar attacked his land and uprooted the newly planted olive tree saplings as well as another 40 cactus trees. The Olive Tree Project remained steadfast in their support, responding by giving Nizar another 60 trees - helping him save his land and livelihood and keep hope alive.
Picture: Nizar’s uprooted olive trees.
THE FARMERS YOU HAVE HELPED
DHAHER
69-year-old Dhaher and his five children own 5 acres of land in a village near Bethlehem. Although they have paperwork proving ownership of the land since 1924, and have had their claim verified by the Israeli Supreme Court, their land is surrounded by Israeli settlements and for decades it has been under threat.
They have had their trees uprooted and Israeli settlers, emboldened by the protection of soldiers, continue to harass Dhaher and his family. Dhaher reported the most recent harassments in April 2024, when multiple Israeli settlers denied him from entering the field and threatened to uproot trees and burn the field if they saw him there.
Despite the continued threats, Dhaher continues to go to the field regularly to plant and tend his olive trees. The Olive Tree Project has stood with Dhaher and his family, providing them with the support they needed to continue their fight. With each new attack, Dhaher responds with resilience, planting more olive trees as a symbol of his unwavering determination to defend his land. The Olive Tree Project has provided olive trees throughout various seasons, including 2024, numbering 1,366 olive seedlings in total.
With each sapling Dhaher plants, he reaffirms his commitment to the land and his belief in a future where the olive groves will stand as a testament to Palestinian perseverance.
JOIN US ON OUR NEXT OLIVE HARVEST TRIP
It is more important than ever that we stand in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Travel with us to the Holy Land this autumn to help with the olive harvest. You will meet and work with farmers and local Christians, eat amazing food and visit places off the tourist trail.
Email visit@embraceme.org to find out more.
OLIVE WOOD GIFTS
We have many lovely products in our shop that have come from the olive trees of Palestine. Our Olive Tree Gifts Collection includes hand-carved olive wood products, all fairly-traded and handcrafted in Bethlehem from the pruned branches of local olive trees. If you fancy having a browse for that unique and special treat for yourself or a loved one, just go to shop.embraceme.org
OLIVE TREE GIFTS
If you’re after some unique gifts we’ve plenty to choose from. Our olive wood range includes: Salad Servers, Olive Wood Dish and a Set of 6 Olive Wood Coasters. You can also buy Nablus Olive Oil Soap and Zaytoun Organic Olive Oil.
We also have a range of olive wood decorations including a hand-carved Praying Angel and Praying Hands, as well as a selection of intricate olive wood Decorations.
SPONSOR AN OLIVE TREE
This year Palestinian farmers need your help more than ever so, so why not sponsor another olive tree? It’s a unique gift to give a loved one and help keep hope alive in Palestine.
“By sponsoring a tree, you have helped Palestinian farmers to continue to claim and work their land. Thank you”
THE LATEST NEWS FROM ISRAEL-PALESTINE
HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR LATEST UPDATES
Get the latest news from Embrace partners on the ground in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. Find out more about Embrace’s response to the crisis, along with prayer resources and what you can do to help.
SIGN UP TO OUR WEEKLY EMAILS
If you would like to hear more news on the inspirational work of our partners, as well as the ways you can continue making a difference to those in the Middle East through prayer, campaigning, giving, or shopping, direct into your inbox, sign up to receive emails here.