A. Abstract
The olive tree, a
universal symbol of peace has been the object of conflict in the
Arab-Israeli conflict. The uprooting of the ancient olive trees, as
a by product of war, has had tremendous affects on the Palestinian
agriculture, economy, and identity. In Palestine, the olive tree is
prized for its historical presence, its beauty, its symbolic
significance, and most importantly for its economic significance.
Olive trees are a major commercial crop for Palestine, and many
families depend on it for their livelihood.
Many products are
extracted from the olive tree, these include, olives, olive oil,
olive wood, and olive based soap. In fact, olive oil is the second
major export item in Palestine; and Olive production contributes to
about 38.2% of the fruit trees production income.
Traditionally in
Palestine, harvesting the olive trees was a joyous time. However,
over the past two years restrictions by the Israeli army and
harassment by the settlers have made harvesting almost impossible.
Today the Arab Israeli conflict has affected not only innocent human
beings but also the environment. The olive tree, a universal symbol
of peace has become the unfortunate casualty of war.
B.
Description
Importance of the
trees to Palestine:
In Palestine, the olea europaea, or the Olive tree is prized for its
historical presence, its beauty, its symbolism and most importantly
economic significance.
Historical
Importance
The Middle East, the Fertile Crescent, North Africa, and the
Mediterranean all share the presence of the beautiful olive tree.
“Wherever you go there are olive trees-rows and patches of them-on
farms, around our homes, even in the streets and on the pavements”
(Asmar).
Olives have been a significant part of the region since ancient times.
"The Greeks believe it was Athena, goddess of wisdom and war who
gave mankind the divine fruit. The Romans also coveted the precious
crop, and later the Venetians shipped it around the Mediterranean
from Palestine to Morocco and Spain." (Moseley)
Olive trees grows at a
rate of 1-2 feet each year, reaching a height of 20 – 40 feet after
about 40 years. They generally live for about 400 years, but many
are known to be 700 or 1000 years old (Wildlife and Plants of the
World)
Historians date the
first olive trees in Palestine to 4,000 years before Christ. A
Palestinian farmer may look outside his window on the hillside to
view olive trees that were planted 1,000 years ago that still
produce olives. Another farmer may point to trees that were planted
by his/her farmer 100 years ago (MacAskill).
Cultural
Importance
The olive tree has great importance for the Palestinian
culture and identity. One man states, “the olive tree is part of our
culture, heritage and identity. It has existed since time immemorial
and has come to speak of a boundless entity that has stayed with us
since the dawn of history.” (Asmar.) For many Palestinians, the
olive tree resembles them, “it is a symbol of their nation. It is
seen as embodying the qualities of rootedness and durability,
attributes Palestinians say they believe have preserved them during
years of struggle with Israel" (Lynfield.)
The olive tree is a
major part of the Palestinian identity. Palestinians say “to seize
an ancient olive tree is like a confiscation of memory” to describe
their injured land (Rooted To the land). “for centuries the
ubiquitous tree, with its characteristically gnarled trunk and
stately branches, had given muted and predictable color scheme to
Palestine’s terraced highlands. Today it had moved from the
countryside to grace paintings, book covers, university logos and
even websites” (rooted to the land). The uprooting of trees
therefore hurts Palestinians in a number of ways.
Religious
Importance
“According to Muslim tradition, the olive tree is
blessed by God,” (Lynfield.) Nadi Farraj, an agricultural engineer
from Bir Zeit University, said “The olive is mentioned 16 times in
the Bible and 12 times in the Koran” (Devi, Sharmila)
The irony here, as the Morning Star explained, Olive trees supply the
traditional oil which light the lamps over the birthplace of Christ
in the Church of the Nativity. (Morning Star)
Olives and their oil have a spiritual significance throughout the
Middle East, the oil mentioned in the bible 140 times, the Qur’an
and Torah also recording it as symbol of peace, life and fertility.
Symbolic
Importance
The olive tree is known around the
world for it's symbolism of peace and tranquility. The expression
"to hold out an olive branch" means to seek harmony and peace. The
fact that the Arab-Israeli conflict has caused tremendous damage to
this peace symbol shows the extent of the conflict in the region.
Economic
Importance
Olive trees are a major commercial crop for Palestine,
and many families depend on it for their livelihood. This “humble
olive tree has real practical worth as the tree of wealth,
protection and security, of shelter and sustenance,” (Rooted to the
land) because form it oil is extracted for lighting, soap is made
for cleanliness, and olive are extracted for nutrients. Many
products are extracted from the olive tree, these include, olives,
olive oil, olive wood, and olive based soap. In fact, olive oil is
the second major export item in Palestine; and Olive production
contributes to about 38.2% of the fruit trees production income
(Olive Press Overview.) Therefore, olive trees are important for the
livelihood of the Palestinian farmers. Therefore, even if “a peasant
has put a small piece of land, he will still plant five or ten olive
trees. Much of Palestinian peasant culture centers on the cyclical
rhythms of planting, pruning and harvesting of olives” (Rooted to
the land). (talk more about culture here)
olive trees preserve almost 936 thousand dunums (a dunum is 1,000
square meters) or 51% of cultivated area, and 78.5% of fruit trees
area in 1999/2000 agricultural year which has a tremendous
contribution to the social and economic well being of Palestinians
(Olive Press Overview).
Olive harvest account for about 15 – 20% of the total agricultural
output in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, about 4.6% of the
GDP. (Palestine Monitor, olive harvesting season)
Nutritional Value
Not only is the olive tree important for producing
money, it has nutritional values. All olive oil contains some
natural acid called oleic acid. Oleic acid is a type of fat, but
unlike most other fats, "eating small amounts of olive oil is
considered to be good for you." In fact, Oleic acis is believed to
help "prevent the clogged arteries and heart attacks often caused by
bad animal derived fat" (Wildlife and Plants of the World.)
