Invitation to Olive Picking, Palestine October 2010

Since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000, the olive harvest has been overshadowed by the Israeli policies of repression, closure, 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 and the continuous expansion of Israeli settlements at the expense of agricultural land in the occupied Palestine , many farmers are separated from their trees, and help is most needed.
The objective of this program is to mobilise as many people as possible for olive picking, especially in areas that are situated in proximity to Israeli settlements and bypass roads, in order to help Palestinian farmers harvest their olive trees which they might be unable to do without international support. Also, the event has brought up awareness to hundreds of people from many countries around the world about real life under the Israeli Military Occupation, and the experience itself was referred to by several participants as a life changing one. You too are invited to join us for this event.

Besides picking olives, the program will feature introductory presentations about the organising institutions, the current situation in Palestine and the effect of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem , a tour of Hebron , cultural evenings and social gatherings.

Olive Picking 2010 – Proposed schedule

Day One – Saturday 16/10/2010: Arrival. Meeting representatives from the organising institutions for an overview and discussion of the program.
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour (near Bethlehem )
Day Two – Sunday 17/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
After lunch, political tour and sightseeing in Bethlehem , including the visit of a refugee camp. Dinner, followed by screening of a documentary at Jadal / Alternative Information Center (AIC)
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Three - Monday 18/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field, followed by lunch.
Meeting at The Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) for a presentation on the Apartheid Wall and land confiscation. Visiting an olive press
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour

Day Four – Tuesday 19/10/2010: Tour in the Old City of Jerusalem .
Lunch, followed by a settlement tour around Jerusalem with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD).
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour

Day Five – Wednesday 20/10/2010: free day

Day Six – Thursday: 21/10/2010: A tour in the old city of Hebron . Visiting the Ibrahimi Mosque. Meeting with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) for a presentation about the situation in Hebron .
Lunch. Visiting a glass factory. Free time
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Seven – Friday 22/10/2010: a full day of picking olives at a selected field, lunch included.
Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour

Day Eight – Saturday 23/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a selected field.
Dinner followed by a presentation on the refugee questions with BADIL Resource Centre for Palestinian Residency and Refugees’ Rights
Overnight in Beit Sahour
Day Nine – Sunday 24/10/2010: Half day picking olives at a field. Lunch
Evaluation meeting with institutions’ representatives, followed by a musical evening.
Overnight in Beit Sahour

Day Ten – Monday 25/10/2010: departure.

To learn more about previous seasons please go to the video and watch a 10 minutes film about the event here:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UYxAIxY2xA

More Information:
· The cost of the program including accommodation in a double room, meals, guides, local transportation and other relevant expenses is $620 or the equivalent in your local currency.
· Accommodation can 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:  visitpalestine@yahoo.co.uk