Call for Actions - Olive Tree Campaign field invaded and Olive Trees uprooted

19^th, July 2012

On Thursday; July 19^th. 2012, The Israeli Civil Administration (Israeli Military Occupation) invaded the lands of Olive Tree Campaign's beneficiaries Izzat Abu Latifeh and Mohammed Abu Subhieh from the village of Jab'a.

The Israelis arrived to the land early in the morning, they brought JCB Bulldozers, military and civil vehicles to the land and started the destruction. Short after that, Izzat Abu Latifeh heard from eyewitnesses that the Israelis are on his land, he rushed to the land and tried to stop the destruction, the Israeli military prevented him from getting on the field unless he presents his documents of ownership, once he brought his documents the Israelis left, but it was too late. The destroyed more than 50 trees planted through OTC in response to the Israeli destruction of Izzat's property on February 22^nd 2011.

The Israelis have also uprooted the roots of the trees they cut down in February 2011 as these roots started growing again, and then the Bulldozers destroyed old terraces on the land that Izzats father built more than 70 years ago. All the destruction was done to make the land look abandoned and remove evidence that the land has been cultivated; a procedure that leads to Israel’s confiscation and annexation of the land.

For so long, Palestinians have witnessed Israel confiscating their property and declare it as state land (annexation). This policy against the Palestinians is deemed illegal under international law, it violates the Geneva conventions in Particular where article 47 states: 'Protected persons who are in occupied territory shall not be deprived, in any case or in any manner whatsoever, of the benefits of the present Convention by any change introduced, as the result of the occupation of a territory, into the institutions or government of the said territory, nor by any agreement concluded between the authorities of the occupied territories and the Occupying Power, nor by any annexation by the latter of the whole or part of the occupied territory'.

Despite the frustrations, pain and agony caused by this destruction, the OTC will continue supporting the farmers in Jab'a by planting sponsored olive trees on their property and help them in their olive harvest.

What can you do to help:

1. Sponsor an olive tree through the OTC, we are planning to raise up to 8000 olive trees to be sponsored by friends and partners around the world, many of these trees will be planted in Jab'a. You can help by sponsoring the planting of one yourself or for your friends and family.
2. Expose the complicity of JCB bulldozers in destroying Palestinians livelihood and join the Stop the Bulldozers Campaign.
   
3. Write your representatives in Israel and demand they visit Jab'a and seek investigation on the continuous destruction and confiscation of Jab'a land.
   
4. Write the Israeli representatives in your country seeking explanation for the destruction of Jab'a Land.
   
5. During previous olive picking programs we helped farmers in the destroyed area in the harvest of their trees, in support of the family and to highlight different ways of Israeli destruction of Palestinians land. During The Olive Picking 2012, we are planning to help the affected farmers again by organizing an olive picking day on their field, you can join the olive picking program or encourage your friends and others to do so by sharing this link.
   
6. Finally, you can try to bring this story to light using your local newspapers, radio, TV stations or any other media tools to bring the story to light.