67. Photo Essay - Demonstration on both Sides of the Fence in Jayyous
Demonstration on both Sides of the Fence in Jayyous
The farmers of Jayyous continued to resist the expansion of the illegal Israeli settlement of Zufim on their farmland. Israel, which continues to construct much of its “Separation Wall” deep inside the West Bank in many locations, has built a fence separating the village of Jayyous from most of its land. A demonstration was held on both sides of the fence December 31st, protesting Israel’s illegal confiscation of Palestinian land. The event attracted Israeli, Palestinian, and international demonstrators, approximately 100 on each side. The owner of the olive grove where the majority of the trees have been uprooted, Tawfik Salim, was among the demonstrators on the eastern side of the fence as well as several Ecumenical Accompaniers. A delegation from the western side of the fence was allowed by soldiers to cross the gate and in an emotional moment presented Salim with one of his uprooted olive trees. Israeli activist Uri Avnery, Abu Azzam (of the Jayyous Land Defense Committee), several Ecumenical Accompaniers, and members of Israeli or Israeli-Palestinian peace organizations Gush Shalom, Ta’ayush, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), Machsom Watch, and Anarchists against the Wall participated in a tree re-planting in the affected grove on the western side of the fence.
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Ecumenical Accompanier Katja Tolstrup from Denmark carrying a new olive tree to be planted.
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Ecumenical Accompanier Rune Sødal from Norway stands ready to re-plant an olive tree.
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Ecumenical Accompaniers Inger Styrbjörn (left) and Lydia Gall, both from Sweden, approach the gate from the western side along with Israeli, Palestinian, and international demonstrators.
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Jamilah Yafit Biso (center) from the Israeli-Palestinian peace organization Ta'ayush.
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About 100 demonstrators, Palestinian, Israeli, and international, gathered on each side of the fence in Jayyous to protest the uprooting of olive trees to make room for the expansion of the illegal Zufim settlement. Here are some of the approximately 100 demonstrators gathered on the eastern side of the fence in the village of Jayyous.
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Demonstrators agree to return to the village of Jayyous and Tawfik Salim departs with his tree.
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In an emotional scene, Tawfik Salim is presented with one of his uprooted olive trees.
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Tawfik Salim (center) and others try to persuade the Israeli soldier to allow the demonstrators to pass to the western side of the gate. The request was denied.
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A delegation from the western side of the gate, including Abu Azzam of the Jayyous Land Defense Committee (right), crosses the gate with one of Tawfik Salim's uprooted olive trees.
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Tawfik Salim (left) talking with Ecumenical Accompanier Christoph Gocke from Germany.
