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Full itinerary below:

A program for Civil International Solidarity with Palestinians

Invitation

5^th – 14^th February, 2011

Agricultural experts in the Holy Land estimate that over a million olive trees have been uprooted and destroyed by Israel since it was created in 1948. Almost half of these olive trees were uprooted since the start of the 2^nd Intifada in 2000 (Palestinian uprising against the Israeli Military Occupation).

Disrespecting its’ religious, cultural, natural, nutritious and economic value, the olive tree has been constantly targeted by the Israeli military occupation under the guise of security, the construction of the Wall on Palestinian lands, and the expansion of Israeli – Jewish only – colonies (settlements). The destruction of olive trees has had intentional and destructive results on the lives of many Palestinian farmers, land owners and the Palestinian population in general.

For these reasons and many others, the olive tree campaign was launched in 2001 as a positive response to systematic destruction by addressing the needs of effected farmers. The Olive Tree Campaign uses the olive tree as a tool to advocate for the Palestinians right to peace with justice. So far eight successful seasons of planting have helped hundreds of Palestinian farmers and land owners, and brought awareness to an expanding international network of friends and partners about the real life of the Palestinians who have been striving for peace with justice for more than half of a century.

Since 2008, the campaign has invited friends and partners to plant olive trees as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinians. People came from various corners of the world to show solidarity with the Palestinians and to strengthen our mission to “Keep Hope Alive” for a better future of peace with justice to the oppressed in this ongoing conflict.

Besides olive planting, the program will feature introductory presentations about the current situation in Palestine and the effects of the Apartheid Wall, tours in the old city of Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, in addition to cultural events and social gatherings.
Proposed Schedule:

• Saturday, Feb 5, Day 1: Arrival to the airport and travel to Bethlehem to meet representatives from the organizing institutions for an overview and discussion of the program. Dinner and free time.
• Sunday, Feb 6, Day 2: Visiting Bethlehem. An afternoon of site-seeing and an introduction to the town. Watching Documentary about the situation in Palestine.
• Monday, Feb 7, Day 3: Half day planting trees at a selected field followed by lunch. Visiting Duheisha refugee camp. Evening with BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugees’ Rights. Dinner and free time.
• Tuesday, Feb 8, Day 4: Half day planting trees at a selected field followed by lunch. Meeting with the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) for a presentation on the Israeli Apartheid Wall and land expropriation by Israeli authorities. Dinner and free time.
• Wednesday, Feb 9, Day 5: Visiting YMCA headquarters in Jerusalem, A tour in the old city of Jerusalem to visit the main sites in the city. Lunch. In the afternoon we will join  The Israeli Committee Against House Demolition ICAHD for a settlement tour around Jerusalem. Dinner and free time. (suggested family stay).
• Thursday, Feb 10, Day 6: Visit to the city of Ramallah. A meeting with Al Haq Organization, Al-Dameer , Right to Education Campaign and a Palestinian political representative. Dinner and free time.
• Friday, Feb 11, Day 7: Half day planting trees at a selected field followed by lunch. A tour in the old city of Hebron to visit the Ibrahimi Mosque, es-souq (the market), and to see the Israeli division of Hebron and the Israeli settlers who occupy the center of the city. Followed by a meeting with an organization based in Hebron. Dinner and free time (suggested family stay).
• Saturday, Feb 12, Day 8: Half day planting trees at a selected field followed by lunch. Meeting with representatives from the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine Dinner and free time.
• Sunday, Feb 13, Day 9: Half day planting trees at a selected field followed by lunch. Evaluation meeting followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with staff members and volunteers. Overnight in Bethlehem.
• Monday, Feb 14, Day 10: Departure

More Information:

• The cost of the program including accommodation, guides, meals, and local transportation is 650$. For the cost in your local currency, please go to the following web site – http://www.xe.com/ucc/
• Accommodation will be arranged at a Hotel or with a local family.
• A tour guide will be present with the group at all times for facilitation purposes.
• Travel from and to the airport is not included in the cost but can be arranged for groups.
• Places are limited.