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  • Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley

On Friday, April 28, 2023, BADIL Center, in partnership with organizations from the Global Palestinian Refugee Network (GPRN) and the Palestinian Youth Forum (PYF), implemented a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the northern Jordan Valley to reclaim agricultural land under threat of confiscation in the so-called Area C.

60 volunteers from the CBOs of the GPRN and the PYF from Mandatory Palestine participated in the work day, which included agricultural work and cultural and national activities. The participants were divided into small groups to pick thyme, collect stones, clean the land and prepare it for planting grape, olive and bonicam seedlings. Volunteers from the Palestinian Youth Forum organized a cultural competition, in addition to artistic activities that included performances of patriotic songs and Dabke by a number of volunteers from Ibdaa, Shorouq, Juthoor, Lajee Center and Al-Dar.

During the work day, a group of Israeli soldiers, colonizers and the so-called nature protection officers stormed the work site to expel the volunteers from the land and stop their work under the pretext that the land is an archaeological area where cultivation is prohibited. They claimed erroneously that planting trees is damaging the area.

Although the area was surrounded by a group of soldiers and colonizers who attempted to expel the group from the land, the young volunteers remained steadfast. They strengthened their presence in the area and challenged the army by continuing their volunteer work and cultural activities and refusing to leave.

The steadfastness of the volunteers ultimately forced the withdrawal of the army, which contented itself with leaving a written warning with the owners of the land. What happened during this volunteer workday reflects the importance of collective action as a means of strengthening Palestinian presence and forms of self-resilience in the face of land grab policies.

Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley
Despite the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime’s army, BADIL implements a volunteer work day in Khirbet Tal al-Hamma in the Jordan Valley