Newsletter (August - October) 2023

A Digital Awareness Campaign to Expose Israel's Crimes in Gaza

From the onset of the aggression on Gaza, we have dedicated our work to exposing Israel’s crimes against the people of Gaza, particularly the deliberate use of food as a weapon. We have created awareness posts in both Arabic and English, which were released in October 2023.

Why Was FAO Silent About the Starvation in Gaza?

Razan Zuayter, APN Chairperson, urged FAO to break its silence and issue statements within its domain of expertise concerning the genocide occurring in the Gaza Strip and the “death diet” imposed by the occupation on Gazans for over a decade and a half. Her intervention came during FAO's Regional Technical Consultative Meeting, which served as preparation for the 37th session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East, set to take place in early 2024.

Our Advocacy Efforts Succeed in Prioritizing Gaza at Regional UNEP Meetings

APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, delivered a testimony on the war in Gaza and spearheaded a movement in collaboration with regional civil society organizations accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to prioritize the war in Gaza during the second session of the Arab Forum for Environment (AFEN). The Forum, organized in partnership between UNEP and the League of Arab States UNEP, took place in the Sultanate of Oman from 24 – 25 October 2023.

Prominent Media Presence From August - October 2023

Awareness and mobilization played a significant role in our media efforts from August to October 2023. We maintained a consistent media presence, addressing the crucial need to support the agricultural sector and local food systems in the Arab world, with a specific focus on Palestine and Jordan.

Al Jaajaa Speaks About the Roots of Israeli Settler-Colonialism at an International Solidarity Forum

In light of the recent Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip in Palestine, APN Co-Founder and Agricultural Advisor, Hassan Al Jaajaa, was invited to speak at a virtual international solidarity forum titled “Understanding Israeli Settler-Colonialism in Palestine and the Roots of US Imperialism in the Arab Region”. The forum was organized by the International Migrants Alliance – Indonesia and took place on 18 October 2023.

APN Calls for Gaza's Protection in CEESP Webinar

APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, delivered a significant intervention in a webinar focused on the interplay between Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly in the context of today’s pressing challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, and conflicts. In her intervention, Al Jaajaa brought attention to the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the impacts of wars and occupation on the different components of the environment, most importantly, the human population, which also requires safeguarding.

9,000 Trees Cultivated in Arrabet Jenin in Two Phases

Over two phases, APN supported the resilience of the farmers of Arrabet Jenin. The first activity began with the planting of 2,000 trees in its first phase. Due to the interest of farmers, it expanded and an additional 7,183 fruit trees were cultivated, totaling 9,183 fruit trees.

For a Healthy Environment, a Joint Activity Brings Together APN and the Hussein Cancer Foundation

To bolster Jordan's commitment to a greener future, increase the Kingdom’s green cover, empower small farmers, and advocate for the right to a healthy environment and adequate nutrition, a collaborative initiative took place between APN and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. During the event, 200 fruit trees were planted in Al-Amiriyah, thanks to a generous contribution from Bank al Etihad and ila Digital Bank powered by ABC. Several media representatives, social media influencers, and volunteers participated in the tree-planting activity.

Al Jaajaa Criticizes EU’s Development Policies in the Arab Region During a Meeting in Brussels

APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, participated as a speaker in a panel discussion entitled " Driving change and building partnership in the urban context”, at a meeting organized by the European Union's Policy Forum on Development. During the meeting, Al Jaajaa presented an unorthodox perspective on “urbanization”. She pointed out that platforms often embrace trendy concepts superficially while overlooking crucial priorities.

5,900 Fruit Trees in the Free “Republic” of Burqa

Our trees have reached Burqa, a town that was declared by its people as a "free and independent republic" during the First Intifada in 1988. The activity was held in an area called Magharem, which is situated near the road leading to Homesh settlement which was evacuated by the occupation in 2005 but was reoccupied in 2023. Working alongside local farmer Yousef, together with his children, grandchildren, and other farmers from the village, APN planted 5,900 fruit trees on their lands which face the risk of confiscation. Yousef expressed his profound joy, emphasizing that this land serves as his lifeline and the source of his happiness. He adamantly asserted that no amount of money is worth trading the land for.

APN Receives Accreditation From Kuwait

Over two decades dedicated to bolstering the Palestinian agricultural sector, safeguarding lands from confiscation, and fostering food sovereignty in Jordan by planting 2.8 million fruit trees in both countries, APN's qualifications led to its reaccreditation with the Development & International Cooperation Affairs at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a second time. This accreditation enables APN to receive financial support from Kuwaiti donor entities.

Bank of Jordan Plants 500 Trees With the Green Caravan

A group of 40 employees from the Bank of Jordan dedicated their time to engage in community service, joining APN’s Green Caravan in planting 500 local olive trees in Al-Amiriyah, in the presence of APN Project Manager, Mohammad Qtaishat.

Our Olive Trees Confront the Apartheid Wall

"Anyone who wants a homeland must care for it," was the heartfelt appeal of a farmer whose land was threatened with confiscation. In response, APN planted 4,677 olive trees as part of its third Million Tree Campaign. Situated only 10 meters from the Apartheid Wall, these trees serve as the foundation that roots the people of Idna to their land. They create a protective wall of olive trees, positioned in direct opposition to the concrete barrier.

Presenting at an IMF/WB Counter-Summit on a Subjugated Agricultural Sector in Jordan and Palestine

In conjunction with the 79th Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), APN Media Coordinator, Asmaa Awwad, took part in the "Reclaim Our Future" conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Serving as both an organizer and speaker, APN joined forces with various social movements from the Arab world and the Global South. This event, which took place on 8 – 9 October 2023, stood as a collective rejection of the programmes set forth by the IMF and WB.

4,500 Trees Bolster the Historical Tenacity of Furush Beit Dajan

APN bolstered the historical tenacity of the town of Furush Beit Dajan in Nablus governorate by planting 4,500 olive trees.

Three Years of Carbon-Neutral Cinema

For the third consecutive year, a green partnership was established between APN and the Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film, which recently concluded its fourth edition. The festival's organizers contributed 600 fruit trees to the Green Caravan programme in Jordan.

Our Perspective on Livelihoods, Climate Change, and Conflict at Carnegie’s Conference in Amman

APN Advocacy and Research Officer, Lisa Shahin, spoke at the "MENA Climate Vulnerability Conference", organised by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Middle East Program. The conference took place on 3 – 4 October 2023, in Amman, Jordan.

3,500 Fruit Trees Protect Turmusaya From the Violence of the Hilltop Youth

This initiative planted 3,500 diverse fruit trees in Turmusaya as a show of support for the long-standing resilience and determination of its people.

Jordan Kuwait Bank Plants 500 Trees With the Green Caravan

In Kufranjah, in the northern region of Jordan, volunteers from the Jordan Kuwait Bank, led by the bank's CEO Haitham Al Batikhi and Aghadir Jouihan, the Director of the Princess Taghrid Institute for Development and Training, joined APN’s Green Caravan. Also present for the tree-planting activity was Razan Zuayter, APN Chairperson of the Board. During this event, APN planted 500 fruit trees at Dar Ne'meh Cottage in Ajloun to support women in Jordanian governorates.

2,000 Trees Near Kiryat Arba Settlement

Despite the village's isolation, a new initiative brings Arab solidarity to Al-Baqa'a. APN stood alongside the locals and, through the Million Tree Campaign in Palestine, planted 2,000 fruit trees near the Kiryat Arba settlement, just 100 meters away from the Apartheid Wall, with generous support from Ideal Solutions Company.

Zuayter Calls for Local Community Partnership in Tree-Planting Projects During FAO’s Near East Forestry Week

APN Chairperson, Razan Zuayter, was invited to speak at FAO's technical workshop entitled “Forest-Based Adaptation: Challenges and Opportunities for Drylands” during the 5th Near East Forestry Week from 11 – 13 September 2023, in Amman, Jordan. She stressed that the absence of participatory strategies in tree planting often results in ad-hoc decisions that jeopardize the sustainability of projects.

1,000 Trees Support Qaryut Women’s Association

In the midst of Qaryut village, where settler colonialism has devoured 65% of the land, APN joined forces with Qaryut's brave Women Association to plant 1,000 fruit trees to safeguard the land situated in Area C from confiscation. These trees serve as a pathway toward self-sufficiency and additional income for the village’s families.

APN and Zain Empower 11 Agricultural Families in Southern Jordan Valley

APN's Green Caravan (GC), with the support of Zain Jordan, set out to empower 11 agricultural families in southern Jordan Valley with production inputs including fruit-bearing trees and irrigation networks.

What Yaqut al-Hamawi Didn't Say About the Trees That Protected Yasuf

APN reached the village of Yasuf to safeguard the land from being confiscated by planting 924 fruit trees. APN supported the village amidst their ongoing struggle against expanding settlements, particularly the recent establishment of the Taffouh outpost in 2000.

800 Fruit Trees in the Security Buffer Zone of Highway 60

In a remarkable activity, APN reached the security buffer zone alongside farmer Walid, a resident of the villages near Jerusalem. He made an appeal to cultivate and safeguard his land from potential confiscation, given its proximity to Highway 60.

Our Trees Safeguard a Land Amidst 15 Settlements and Outposts

To safeguard the land of farmer Abu Thaer located amidst 15 settlements and outposts, the Million Tree Campaign planted 500 fruit trees contributed by Abdul Rahman Nobani and his loved ones.

An-Najah University Hosts Trees in Memory of the Kuwaiti-Palestinian Academic Sa’ad Akashah

APN planted 240 fruit trees in memory of the late Kuwaiti-Palestinian Academic Sa’ad Akashah on behalf of his family. The first batch of these trees were planted at An-Najah National University while another activity took place in the town of Arrabet Jenin to protect a piece of land threatened with confiscation.

On the Same Tractor, 300 Trees Return With the People of Masafer Yatta to Their Homes

On the same tractor that transported the people of Masafer Yatta back to their homes after a recent evacuation attempt by the occupation, were APN’s 300 fruit trees dedicated to Palestinians who are safeguarding the land until its liberation.

200 Olive Trees From PwC Combat Desertification in Al-Amiriyah

To combat desertification, APN planted 200 local olive trees in collaboration with local farmers from Al-Amiriyah town, located south of Amman. These drought- and disease-resistant olive trees were planted in the natural dams constructed by the community on their lands using traditional water harvesting methods.

200 Trees in South Jerusalem Honor the Memory of Alia Elmosa

In a remarkable gesture, the relatives of the late Alia Samir Anwar Elmosa transformed their mourning into a story of steadfastness by planting 200 fruit trees that will safeguard an orchard in South Jerusalem from confiscation.

Panel Discussion With ACS Teachers on Community Service

The Community Engagement Department of the American Community School (ACS) invited APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, to speak at a special panel discussion as part of the school’s teacher training. The aim was to foster a stronger relationship between local civil society organizations and teachers interested in integrating community service into the curriculum to instill values of volunteerism among students.

The Green Caravan and Young Climate Justice Ambassadors Plant 100 Fruit Trees

As a part of its Green Caravan programme in Jordan, APN, with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, planted 100 fruit trees on a small farmer's land in the town of Souf in Jerash Governorate.

Our Participation in ACS’s NGO Fair “From Empathy To Action”

APN was invited to speak at the NGO Fair hosted by the American Community School (ACS), themed "From Empathy To Action". This event featured various local NGOs and service initiatives, offering APN the opportunity to address middle school and high school students through four informative sessions.

Our Participation in a Summer School Under the Slogan “It’s More Than Just Food”

APN participated in the 9th regional summer school organized by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung – Palestine & Jordan, focused on "Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture towards Equitable and Justice-based Food Systems in the MENA Region". During the school’s field trip to the Jordan Valley, APN spoke about the environmental and agricultural violations committed by the occupation against Palestinian and Jordanian farmers particularly in the Jordan Valley.

Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) Plants 120 Trees With the Green Caravan

As part of a volunteer-driven activity at Al Hussein Youth City – Sports City organized by APN through its "Green Caravan" programme, students from Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) took part in planting 120 Jacaranda trees to compensate for trees damaged during previous snowstorms.

150 Fruit Trees Stand Firm on the Frontline in South of Jerusalem

During her visit to Palestine, Amal Al-Bashiti, recognized the significance of every tree in safeguarding the lands of Al-Khider town. This town stands on the frontline facing 15 settlements and outposts that are among the most aggressive in the West Bank. Through her support, APN planted 150 fruit trees, serving to fortify the solidarity of the Palestinian community, spanning those within Palestine as well as across the Diaspora.

Together We Learn, APN Lectures at Al Fiker Al Tarbawi Schools

Together with the students and their teachers at Al Fiker Al Tarbawi Schools, we learned the importance of eating what we grow, in addition to how the agricultural sector plays a significant role in ensuring our food sovereignty and environmental preservation.

Our Contribution to Ma'an Smart Village's Agricultural Learning Hub

APN supported an agricultural learning hub in Ma‘an Smart Village for Sustainable Development, supervised by the Ma' an Youth Conservation Association.  This support included the cultivation of more than 100 fruit trees, contributing to the success of this learning hub.