Newsletter (January - March) - 2024

Starvation is their Weapon, Cultivation is Ours: A Campaign to Revive Gaza Farmland

Responding to the pleas of farmers in Gaza, APN launched an urgent development relief campaign aimed at reviving the agricultural sector to combat the blockade. The first stage of the campaign entails the restoration of vegetable farms through activities such as planting seeds and seedlings and expanding irrigation networks to replace damaged ones. The donation link can be found in the news article.

7,180 "Freedom Trees" Planted in Farmers' Orchards with the Support of APN’s Friends and Partners

In the first weeks of 2024, the "Freedom Trees" project, initiated by APN during the 2023 agricultural season, reached its culmination. Through the generous backing of individuals and national companies, we successfully planted 7,180 fruit trees in orchards facing the threat of confiscation across four governorates: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin. These trees serve as vital guardians of the land while fostering self-sufficiency among the local communities.

Breaking Protocol, Al Jaajaa Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza During UNEA-6 Opening Plenary

After being asked to be diplomatic, APN amplified Gaza’s voice during meetings of UNEA-6 and broke protocol by calling for a ceasefire during the opening session.

APN Plants 1,258 Fruit Trees in South Jordan with the Support of the Housing Bank

In the southern region of Jordan, particularly in Ma'an and Aqaba, APN's Green Caravan team, along with employees from the Housing Bank, embarked on a mission to plant 1,258 fruit trees. This initiative marks the initial phase of planting 2,000 trees, which the bank committed to supporting in 2024.

Zuayter Honored as “Keeper of the Land” During AUB’s Palestine Week

The Head of the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development at the American University of Beirut, Dr. Shady Hamadeh, honored Razan Zuayter APN Chairperson and Founder of the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty, recognizing her as one of the "Keepers of the Land" during the university's Palestine Week activities.

Planting 2,000 Trees in Top-Tier Agricultural Village with Hikma's Support

Arana village stands out as a distinctive agricultural community within the Jenin governorate, with its people deeply committed to cultivating their expansive land spanning 10,000 dunums. During this activity, we stood alongside the community to bolster their food security by planting 2,000 trees through the Million Tree Campaign in Palestine, with the generous support of Hikma Pharmaceuticals.

At ESCWA’s AFSD: Al Jaajaa Speaks About the Failure of Humanity and International Legitimacy

In her speech at the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) hosted by UN-ESCWA, APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, emphasized that the implementation of the triple nexus approach (humanitarian-development-peace) advocated by the OECD and the broader donor community has proven woefully ineffective. This failure is evident in various instances, such as the genocide through starvation in Gaza, the politicization of humanitarian and developmental aid in Yemen and Syria, and the fueling of conflict through militarization in Sudan.

Key Media Moments: Our Activities Featured in Arabic, English, and French During Q1 2024

 Below is a summary of the most prominent media highlights of our activities, reports covering our work, in addition to the awareness content we have released from January to March 2024.

650 Trees Planted to Protect the Orchards of Bayader Wadi Al-Seer with Support from Zain

Following the APN's Green Caravan initiative and the involvement of Zain employees, Abu Sakhr has at last cultivated his orchard in Bayader Wadi Al-Seer. The company provided 450 fruit trees, including green cherries, stone fruits, olives, and grapes. On the same day, there was also the distribution of 200 assorted fruit trees, which the company also backed to support other farmers.

Planting 1,240 Trees in Opposition of Ze'ev Jabotinsky's Memory with Support of Hamdi Idris

The agricultural landscape of Bayt Duqu village, where 80% of its residents engage in land cultivation and depend on its fertility, inspired APN to plant 1,240 trees, sponsored by Mr. Hamdi Idris and his family, across the lands of three farmers.

Our Contributions Leading Up to the 37th FAO Regional Ministerial Meeting (NERC-37)

We participated in CSO Consultation held in Cairo, as well as the FAO Senior Officials Meetings, and the 37th FAO Regional Ministerial Conference (NERC-37) hosted by Jordan. We delivered a speech during the opening session of the CSO Consultation, calling for an immediate ceasefire of the genocide in Gaza and ending inter-Arab wars, especially in Sudan, Yemen, and Syria.

After 15 Years, Brothers Breathe Life into Late Father's Orchard in Jerash

In this activity, the Green Caravan programme embarked on an inspiring journey to support five young brothers in Jerash. Together, we rejuvenated their late father's orchard by planting 650 fruit trees, with the generous support of Jordan Kuwait Bank.

AUB Hosts Zuayter to Speak About “The Resisting Olive”

The American University of Beirut hosted APN Chairperson, Razan Zuayter, who returned to her alma mater to deliver a lecture titled “The Resisting Olive” as part of the university’s Palestine Week and “Keepers of the Land” Lecture Series, organized by the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development.

1,000 Trees Secure Rummana’s Presence on Palestine’s Map with the Support of Al Emar Company

The occupation is attempting to erase Rummana village, situated in the northwest of Jenin governorate, from the Palestinian landscape. Confronting systematic marginalization and efforts to displace the village’s people, APN intervened, as part of its Million Tree Campaign, to plant 1,000 fruit trees with generous backing from Al Emar Contracting Engineers & Construction Management.

Al Jaajaa Addresses a Symposium Commemorating Palestinian Environment Day

On the occasion of Palestinian Environment Day, the Tunisian Association of Palestine Land Studies for Development and Identity invited Hassan Al Jaajaa, Co-Founder and Agricultural Advisor of APN, to speak at a symposium titled "The Strategy to Resist the Zionist Genocide of the Palestinian Environment", held at the Nawras Library in Tunisia.

APN and the Central Bank of Jordan Plant 500 Trees to Empower Women in the Southern Jordan Valley

According to government estimates, fruit trees constitute only 9% of the cultivated land area in the Southern Jordan Valley, which extends over 50,000 dunums. This presents opportunities to bolster local communities by increasing the number of fruit trees and expanding related agricultural activities. This was the motivation behind our recent collaboration with the Central Bank of Jordan to plant 500 trees in the district.

1,000 Trees Contributed by Sukhtian Confront Colonial Roads

In Bethlehem, we planted 1,000 trees contributed by Ghiath and Nadia Sukhtian across three orchards. One lies along the route of a newly planned 40-meter-wide colonial road, connecting Highway 60 to the military checkpoint in the village of Jab'a. The other two orchards are situated next to the Efrat settlement, and face threats of settler aggression and intimidation with the goal of asserting control.

Zuayter Responds to Government Officials and UN Spokespersons at ESCWA: What is Happening in Gaza is a Genocide, Not a Crisis

APN Chairperson, Razan Zuayter, at a special session during the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD), convened by ESCWA called for a comprehensive understanding of the structural and root causes—social, environmental, cultural, and economic—that contribute to food insecurity.

1,000 Trees Confront Al Jalama Checkpoint with the Support of Abu Shakra

The people of Jalama village, situated north of Jenin, face ongoing threats and restrictions on a daily basis. These challenges are particularly pronounced since 96% of the village's land falls within areas classified as "C". Despite these challenges, APN planted 1,000 trees with the backing of Abu Shakra Company as part of its Million Tree Campaign, rooting farmers to their lands.

Partnership between APN and ACS Forges Ahead with Lecture and Tree Planting Activities

Continuing the collaborative efforts between APN and the American Community School (APN), APN delivered an educational lecture as part of its "If Only You Knew” Campaign. Following the lecture, and as part of their community service commitment, the students partnered with APN to plant 200 olive trees in Al Jizah area - Amman. In another activity, 70 fifth-grade students joined APN’s team to plant 70 trees on two lands in Bader Al Jadeedah area - Amman.

APN Examines Gaza’s Environmental Damage During Conference on Conflict, Climate Change, and the Environment Organized by Arab Reform Initiative

APN participated as a panelist in the session titled "Understanding the Environmental Damage in Gaza: Measurement and Evaluation" at ARI's Second Annual Conference on Conflict, Climate Change, and the Environment in the MENA Region. During the session, APN addressed Gaza's environmental damage, attributing it to prolonged occupation tactics, emphasizing the need for clear assessment guidelines and local data ownership, advocating for accountability and reparation under international law.

500 Trees Planted in Jab’a Despite 69% of its Land Being Confiscated by Occupation

Upon hearing the plea from farmers Ahmed and Samih in the village of Jab'a, APN reached the village to plant 500 trees in their orchards, which lie adjacent to the Bat Ayin settlement. Despite facing challenges in reaching these orchards in previous years, including repeated attacks by settlers aimed at facilitating land confiscation, APN remain committed to supporting the community.

From Qatar's Green Tent: Starvation is not a Byproduct of War but a Tool for Systematic Killing

During Qatar's "Green Tent" programme, we spoke about the crucial lesson learned from Gaza: the necessity of prioritizing food sovereignty over food security. Additionally, we invited participants to support our forthcoming projects and relief development campaigns, as part of our Million Tree Campaign in Palestine.

In Al-Amiriyah, APN Replaces Stones with Trees Supported by JoPACC

During an agricultural activity in Al-Amiriyah area of Central Badia, dedicated staff members from the Jordan Payments & Clearing Company (JoPACC) took part in planting 200 fruit trees as part of APN’s Green Caravan programme.

Al Jaajaa Speaks Candidly to Youth During Oxfam and Darabzeen’s “Climate Justice and Youth Engagement” Event

APN General Manager, Mariam Al Jaajaa, was invited to be a panelist at the Climate Justice and Youth Engagement Event, organized by Darabzeen and Oxfam in Amman on 2 March 2024. In her speech, she highlighted the significant contradictions within climate action efforts including overlooking differing responsibilities between developing and developed nations. She urged the participating youth to engage in productive economic sectors in line with national priorities.

Al Jaajaa Speaks About Green Resistance in "Sessions for Palestine"

As a segment of the "Sessions for Palestine" series, Amrouz Café welcomed Mariam Al Jaajaa, APN General Manager, to discuss Green Resistance and the safeguarding of natural resources amidst mounting challenges and threats, particularly those posed by the Zionist occupation.

The Cultivation of 4,285 Trees Commence in Jerusalem, Hebron, and Qalqilya Through Partnership with LOYAC-Kuwait

We started planting the fruit trees contributed from the olive tree auction held during a solidarity event hosted in Kuwait by the LOYAC Foundation and the LOYAC Academy of Arts "LAPA" on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

APN Plants 200 Trees, a Treasure for a Female Farmer

We planted 200 citrus trees in the land of a female farmer, who refused to sell the land, noting that the compensation offered wouldn't match the economic returns achievable through its cultivation.

APN Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Petra to Enrich Student Volunteerism

APN and the University of Petra in Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding. Dr. Ahmed Ghassan El-Qasem, the Director of Quality Assurance at the university, and Mariam Al Jaajaa, APN General Manager, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

We Planted 500 Trees Despite the Occupation’s Firm Grip with the Support of Ayla Oasis

The village of Qilqis lies just 200 meters from Hebron, yet the occupation prohibits passage through it. This daily reality was a challenge for APN’s team, which actively accompanied farmers to reach their orchards and plant them with 500 fruit trees with the support of Ayla Oasis.

APN Highlights the Resistance of Palestinian Women During the Launch of APRN’s Primer on Militarism, Women, & Resistance

APN was invited to speak about the impacts of the Zionist genocide on Palestinian women at the launching of the “Primer on Militarism, Women, & Resistance”, organized by the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN). Refuting the Western narrative that portrays Palestinian women as powerless and hopeless, APN highlighted the pivotal role they played in resistance movements, from fighting the British mandate to Israel’s colonialism, occupation, and apartheid.

500 Trees Planted in the Orchards of Returning Residents of Wadi Fukin and the Resilient People of Al-Khader Village

Near the hometown of former Jordanian Senator Samir Abdel Hadi in Jerusalem, APN selected multiple orchards in the villages of Wadi Fukin and Al-Khader in Bethlehem governorate to plant 500 fruit trees, with his support.

An Engaging Session with LOYAC Volunteers Titled “We Plant Resilience and Resist with Trees”

As part of the ongoing collaboration between APN and LOYAC’s branches in Kuwait and Lebanon, an interactive session was convened with LOYAC's volunteers in Amman, titled "We Plant Resilience and Resist with Trees". The session was marked by enthusiastic engagement, with discussions revolving around opportunities for volunteering with APN.

Collaborative Agricultural Project by Safwa Islamic Bank and APN

In their first joint collaboration, APN and Safwa Islamic Bank joined forces to plant 200 olive trees as part of the bank's commitment to social responsibility and the implementation of a sustainable development vision.

Jordan Ahli Bank Backs Olive Planting Activity for Four Low-Income Families

The Green Caravan programme planted 200 olive trees for four local families in Al-Jizah area of central Badia. This initiative saw the participation of 20 volunteers from Jordan Ahli Bank, who collectively sponsored 500 trees. The remaining trees will be planted in the subsequent phase of the project.

Cultivating in the Face of Impoverishment and Displacement in Qatanna with Support from Muhammad Mushtaha

Heading northwest of Jerusalem, APN's team journeyed along a rugged road to reach an orchard in the village of Qatanna, where they planted 200 fruit trees with the support of Mr. Muhammad Mushtaha. The resilience displayed by the people of Qatanna is a source of pride, as their steadfast refusal to succumb to the occupation's enticements to leave embodies their inherent strength.

Honoring Jerusalem and Ancestry: 200 Trees Planted in Bayt Liqya – Jerusalem

A story of loyalty is written by the children of Hajj Abdel Hamid Abdel Hafez and the late Najia Al-Sayed, as they extend their support to APN by sponsoring the planting of 200 trees in their honor in Jerusalem, as part of the Million Tree Campaign in Palestine.

200 Trees Revive the Buraq Uprising in Bayt Ijza

We carried out an exceptional activity to plant 200 trees in the village of Bayt Ijza - Jerusalem, in cooperation with the Association for the Rural Renaissance of Villages Northwest of Jerusalem, and with the support of Mr. Ahmed Amin Shreim, near the "Giv'on HaHadasha" settlement from which the people of Bayt Ijza expelled its settlers during the Buraq Uprising in 1929.

Edgo Plants 100 Fruit Trees with Us in Bader Al Jadeedah

25 volunteers, comprising Edgo’s employees, along with their families, joined our tree planting activity in Bader Al Jadeedah area as part of our Green Caravan programme. Their participation involved planting 100 fruit trees, which were sponsored by the company as part of its commitment to community service and promoting food security for low-income families.

After Years of Struggle, Farmer Ismail Cultivates his Land Alongside Us, Backed by Hashim Al-Hunaidi

Farmer Ismail's children rally around him as he plants alongside APN's team in Palestine, using part of the 200 trees generously contributed by Mr. Hashim Al-Hunaidi. These trees are designated to be planted in villages near Jerusalem as part of the Million Tree Campaign.

KPMG Supports Us in Enhancing Food Security for SOS Children’s Village Families

As part of KPMG's community service activities, KPMG employees engaged in planting 50 olive trees at SOS Children’s Villages, which were sponsored by the organization as part of a larger effort to plant 150 trees. This endeavor aims to bolster support for families within the village and enhance food security. SOS mothers and children enthusiastically participated in the activity.

Completion of the Second Stage of an Agricultural Project in Partnership with the Association Support Fund

Through a grant from the Association Support Fund, APN’s Green Caravan completed the second phase of an agricultural project in Southern Jordan Valley which included the distribution of 8 beehives to beekeepers in the area.

Statement by the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature Rejecting Eco-Normalisation & the “GreenLine” Initiative

APN issued a public statement titled “Rejecting Eco-Normalisation & the “GreenLine” Initiative”, asserting that APN has no connection of any kind with this project, any entities or individuals cited within it, or any initiative aimed at normalising relations with the Zionist occupation.

Our Participation in Beit Shocair’s "We Remain as Long as Thyme and Olives Remain" Event

Beit Shocair for Culture and Heritage invited APN to join an engaging cultural awareness event for children titled "We Remain as Long Thyme and Olives Remain", which focused on the connection between the thyme plant and Palestinian heritage and culture.