Ziyarat az Zeitoun - Visiting the Olives
There will be oil to heal the wounds, and there will be olive branches to wave when peace arrives.
-Palestinian pastor Mitri Raheb
Ziyarat az Zeitoun (Arabic for Visiting the Olives) is an educational and advocacy project that highlights Palestinian culture and current political realities on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through focusing on the Palestinian olive harvest.
Ziyarat az Zeitoun offers resources to individuals and groups to plan gatherings where people can sample and purchase Palestinian olive oil, hear stories of olive harvesting and learn about the situation of Palestinian farmers and solidarity efforts of Israeli and international peace groups.
Why is it important to support the Palestinian olive harvest?
Photo: Palestine Fair Trade Association
Olive trees have been a part of the Palestinian landscape for thousands of years. They are also the second major crop in Palestine, used to produce olive oil, olive wood and olive based soap. Symbolically, olive trees represent the Palestinian nation and people's ties to the land. More broadly, the olive branches are international symbols of peace and tranquility, needed now more than ever in this devastated part of the world.
For thousands of rural families in Palestine, agriculture is the main economic activity, as well as the major source of food. Every year, olive oil production accounts for 15 to 19% of total agricultural output in Palestine.
Since 2000 and the subsequent tightening of Israeli military closure policies, restrictions of movement and access to water, Palestinian productive capacities have been severely limited. Palestinian olive producers have been brought to the brink of destitution. Prevented from accessing their land, markets and the cities, the farmers are now struggling to make ends meet. Struggling to survive the hard times, families have been spending their savings or relying on loans, sometimes selling land and livestock to buy food or meet emergency needs (Oxfam 2002).
Take Action! Support the Palestinian Olive Harvest >
For More Information
Organizations
From the Branch to the Table
In four audio documentaries (17 – 19 minutes each), Zatoun: a life story explores the genesis and evolution of a unique Canadian grass-roots initiative to bring fair trade organic olive oil from farmer co-operatives in Palestine to North America. The documentaries were produced by Zatoun. Hear the story here >
Articles and Reports
Amnesty International: Surviving under siege - The impact of movement restrictions on the right to work
Electronic Intifada: Photostory - Olive harvest in Lower Yanoun
International Herald Tribune: The Olive Tree and Its Shadow of Hope, by Nadia Hijab
Oxfam International: Forgotten Villages - Struggling to Survive under Closure in the West Bank Bank
Oxfam International: Protecting Civilians: A Cornerstone of Middle East Peace
World Bank: Twenty-Seven Months - Intifada, Closures and Palestinian Economic Crisis Crisis
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