Thursday, November 25, 2004
The Olive Tree and Its Shadow of Hope
... smaller stories of peace and justice are also played out every day, and never more so than during the season of the Palestinian olive harvest from mid-October to the end of November.
For days, busloads of Israelis have been pouring into the fields and villages of occupied Palestine to join other activists from around the world in protecting families from Israeli soldiers and settlers so they can pick the glossy blue-black fruit. ...
For generations of Palestinians, the olive tree and its products have been many things - from basic food and economic mainstay to health and beauty aid.
The olive harvest accounts for about 15-to-20 percent of the total agricultural output in Palestine. Every part of the tree is used - the olives are crushed to produce oil for eating and cooking as well as for soap; the branches are carved; and the pits are used for fuel.
Olive trees hold an almost sacred place in the farmers' world. The trees take years to bear fruit, but then nourish families for generations. ...
The olive harvest is a communal affair. Families and friends turn out in force, working from early morning until the sun goes down. It is this community the Israeli peace activists are joining. ...
... smaller stories of peace and justice are also played out every day, and never more so than during the season of the Palestinian olive harvest from mid-October to the end of November.
For days, busloads of Israelis have been pouring into the fields and villages of occupied Palestine to join other activists from around the world in protecting families from Israeli soldiers and settlers so they can pick the glossy blue-black fruit. ...
For generations of Palestinians, the olive tree and its products have been many things - from basic food and economic mainstay to health and beauty aid.
The olive harvest accounts for about 15-to-20 percent of the total agricultural output in Palestine. Every part of the tree is used - the olives are crushed to produce oil for eating and cooking as well as for soap; the branches are carved; and the pits are used for fuel.
Olive trees hold an almost sacred place in the farmers' world. The trees take years to bear fruit, but then nourish families for generations. ...
The olive harvest is a communal affair. Families and friends turn out in force, working from early morning until the sun goes down. It is this community the Israeli peace activists are joining. ...
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