APN | Villages southwest of Jerusalem

2023

The occupation continues to appropriate Palestinian natural resources, specifically water sources to facilitate the displacement of our people from their ancestral lands—a challenge faced with resilience, calling for our steadfast support and assistance.

In this activity, four stories of steadfast resilience unfold in the villages southwest of Jerusalem, featuring farmers who refused to surrender their lands to the occupation. Supporting 39 individuals, these farmers encountered challenges in irrigating their crops due to water scarcity. In response, APN constructed an agricultural well for each farmer. These wells are crucial, as the farmers' lands, being their primary source of income, are situated in areas facing water scarcity and potential threats from settlers backed by the occupation’s army.

 

An agricultural well from the people of As-Salt to farms in Al-Khader:

Through a donation in the name of “the people of As-Salt”, the first well was established in the town of Al-Khader, where a farmer highlighted the challenges posed by a displacement policy characterized by house demolitions and frequent evacuation notices. The prohibitions on land development further hinder increased production. The well facilitates the cultivation of the farmer's land, offering a crucial solution amid these obstacles.

 

 

An agricultural well in memory of the late Fouad Badr and Etaf Kasbeh:

The second well was constructed in the village of Al-Baqa'a next to the Kiryat Arba settlement whose residents are known to be among the most violent settlers in the West Bank. The land’s owner says that their goal is to annex the village by turning it into fallow land, thereby facilitating confiscation. The occupation has implemented various restrictions, including the deliberate cutoff of water access to the farmers in this area.

 

An Yemeni agricultural well in memory of the late Mohammed Hamid bin Abdullah Al-Ahmar:

The third well was constructed on the land of a farmer from the town of Al-Khader, who supports 7 people. Relying solely on his land to generate income for his family, the farmer faced significant challenges due to a severe water shortage and the high expenses associated with purchasing water. He will now be able to supply the water needed to irrigate his crops.

 

An agricultural well from the Al-Quds Committee – Jordan University of Science and Technology:

The fourth and final well was constructed on a 9-dunum land located near the apartheid wall in the village of Al-Walaja, a targeted area for land confiscation and the displacement of farmers. This plot was selected to secure essential water resources for continuous cultivation and, consequently, land protection. The goal is to alleviate the financial burden on farmers by reducing the need to purchase and transport water.