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“If the Olive Trees knew the hands that planted them, their oil would become tears”– Mahmoud Darwish 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
Olive trees are more than an economic cornerstone in Palestine; they symbolize a deep connection to the land. Contributing to 14% of the country's economy, they sustain Palestinian families and serve as a vital export. Amid high unemployment rates, family-owned farms, responsible for cultivating and pressing olives, are crucial for the livelihoods of around 800,000 families.
For every Palestinian, the olive tree symbolizes permanence and resistance. It connects them back to their ancestors who worked daily on their land, taking care of it, just as a mother taking care of her children. And in the tiredness of the harvest season, they regain all their strength through the abundant amount of gathered olives.
However, since 1967, over 800,000 Palestinian olive trees have been illegally uprooted by Israeli authorities, with more than 9,000 removed in August 2021 alone. These attacks, fueled by settlement expansions, leave families without a source of income. Trees are often burned in violent acts, and militarized forces restrict water access, particularly during harvesting season.
These trees and orchards hold a deep cultural significance, passed down through generations. Each October, families gather for the harvest, a proud tradition that echoes the care their ancestors bestowed upon these symbolic trees. The challenges faced by these olive trees mirror the enduring struggles of the Palestinian people.
As Bassem Youssef’s powerful words spoke - “Maybe, Palestinians themselves are an extension of the land . They are like the trees . You can beat them , you can pressure them , you can squeeze them and push them beyond any human limits. But they don’t die . Like crushed olives that produce green gold. And from death, a million lives will be born.”