They stopped us but we'll continue: Planting Olive Trees in South Hebron Hills

16/02/25

Ever since the war began, and with full support of the government – settler violence has increased, as settlers attack communities at their homes and damage their sources of income. After a widespread uprooting of olive trees, which serve as a source of livelihood and food for Palestinian farmers, we set out again to plant olive trees with Palestinian farmers in the South Hebron Hills, together with partner organizations, on Friday, February 14th.

Thanks to the support of hundreds of Zazim members in transportation and funding seedlings, dozens of activists arrived to support the farmers, who were afraid to plant alone for fear of settler attacks. Still, not all activists managed to reach the plantings. The army prevented them from entering, and while it detained our activists, a settler bus entered the nearby village of Umm al-Khair and planted trees right next to the residents' homes, the same residents who are frequently attacked by these settlers. The police even arrested an activist and Bilal, one of our transportation drivers, along with his bus.

The discriminatory policy does not stop in the occupied territories and is also directed towards Israeli citizens: in one of our transports, the activists underwent security checks at the entrance checkpoint to Israel; we were told that this was because there was an Arab citizen on the bus.

But despite the difficulties along the way, we managed to plant 200 olive trees, and the Palestinian farmers were pleased and excited by the large number of activists who came to show their support. Our determined community once again proved our commitment to this important struggle – we will not stop demanding equality and justice for Palestinians and Arab Israeli citizens, and we will continue to plant hope in the West Bank, in the South Hebron Hills, and wherever we go.