APN | Near Jerusalem

2023

In the face of the relentless aggression of colonialism in Jerusalem and its surrounding, it is crucial to highlight the resilience of the people who bravely defend their existence. They have formed a human barricade to safeguard their lands from confiscation. This Palestinian line of defense is comprised of the tribes of Jerusalem in the east and the residents of 21 villages near Jerusalem on the western and southern fronts.

The residents persistently stand day and night against evacuation plans, steadfastly opposing procedures that disrupt their agricultural activities. This is especially crucial since the lands of these villages serve as a natural extension of the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and constitute a significant portion of the cultivated and arable area in the governorate. Positioned within the ambitions of expanding Zionist presence in the governorates of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, these lands are subject to deliberate manipulation of administrative divisions, linking them to settlement projects that view Area C as a vulnerable area for expansion. In these areas, the Million Tree Campaign is actively present, alongside steadfast farmers.

As part of the “Plant Your Resilience” campaign in its sixth season, we shared this message with Al-Hassad Al-Tarbawi Schools in Jordan. The aim was to transform the essence of learning about Palestine into tangible actions. The call was extended to its students, motivating them to contribute 1,250 fruit trees which were planted by APN in the villages near Jerusalem. These trees serve as beacons of knowledge, truth, and a symbol of our collective struggle and presence in Palestine.