Delegations to Palestine

The myth of peace agreements started in 1993 with the support of the United States. The objective of this myth was to build recognition for Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization while allowing the world to institutionalise occupation and oppression.

The Oslo Accords had two phases. Firstly, the Palestinian Authority (PA) was created in 1994, and it became the primary overseer of Palestinian daily life and economic affairs. The PA was also the recognised governing body for Palestinians in the areas that Israel occupied in June 1967.

The second phase came in 1995, which permitted Israel to maintain authority over vital Palestinian resources, including oil, water, and power. Also, Israel continued to have complete control over its exterior borders and, consequently, over Palestinian trade and access to the global markets. Additionally, the Palestinian Authority had governance over fragmented lands between the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

After 30 years of unjust peace talks, the world failed to stand on the side of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination or support their access to minimum human rights.

In this delegation, you will meet people who lived before, after and through the Oslo Accords, and you will visit different areas in the West Bank and see the cities and landscapes fragmented by occupation.

In Palestine, the importance of olive trees transcends agriculture. Olives and olive oil are prevalent in every Palestinian home, and the olive season marks one of the most critical times of the year. Olive trees have flourished in the region for thousands of years. They are more than a source of sustenance; they symbolise deep-rooted Palestinian heritage and an unbreakable connection to the land. Historically, the olive tree embodies peace, security, and resilience. Ironically, this tree, often called the “tree of peace,” has become an emblem of struggle and endurance in a land that longs for peace.

Palestinians are bound to olive trees religiously, politically, culturally, historically, and emotionally. Each year, the olive harvest season brings families and communities together, fostering a spirit of solidarity as they gather to pick olives, passing down traditions from one generation to the next. However, this season is marred by a constant threat: settlers and Israeli soldiers view the olive tree as a symbol of Palestinian presence and often target it to assert control. The olive groves, older than the occupiers themselves, are frequently attacked through uprooting, burning, cutting, and even poisoning.

Despite these acts of destruction, Palestinians remain undeterred. They replant their trees, tending to their groves with devotion, even as settlers work to sever this bond. The olive tree, a silent witness to generations of resilience, grows deeper roots in Palestinian soil, embodying resistance, survival, and hope. For Palestinians, the olive tree is not merely a crop; it is a cherished partner in their enduring struggle and a testament to their enduring connection with the land. Palestinians cling to the land like the roots of an olive tree cling to the earth. It embodies their soul and sustains their life.

During this delegation, you will join Palestinian families in olive harvesting, sharing in the experience of picking olives, having coffee together, and working alongside them. You will witness firsthand the persecution, violence, and assaults that Palestinians face during the olive-picking season and the attacks on olive trees. This will be a learning moment of offering presence and solidarity in the face of this violence.