Newsletter (October - December) 2024

APN Launches the Fourth Million Tree Campaign in Palestine

As 2024 came to a close, we marked a significant achievement by planting three million fruit trees in Palestine, and the journey toward planting the fourth million has already begun.

18,045 Fruit Trees, 716 Pipe Rolls, and 54 Agricultural Ponds: Achievements Thus Far of the Economic Empowerment Project in Jordan

As part of the Economic Empowerment and Enhancement of Food and Water Security Project in the Jordan Valley, supported by the Kuwait-based International Islamic Charitable Organization, we reached 208 farmers so far and created 2,085 job opportunities, reflecting a positive impact on the socioeconomic conditions of local communities.

Revive Gaza's Farmland Project: An Agricultural Project to Combat the Famine and Blockade

The Revive Gaza's Farmland project, launched nine months ago, has cultivated 903 dunams of land and restored 17 greenhouses by the end of 2024. The project, which includes crops such as zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers, has supported 390 farmers and benefited around 2,415 individuals.

Al Jaajaa Calls for Justice-Based Land Policies Free from Donor Conditions at UNCCD COP 16 in Riyadh

Mariam Al Jaajaa, APN General Manager, emphasized the importance of country ownership over land-related policymaking, free from donor conditionality. Al Jaajaa also stressed the need to look at root causes of land degradation, including Israeli settler colonialism and the ongoing genocide and ecocide in Gaza during her address at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh.

"Voices for Freedom" Contributes 17,000 Kilograms of Vegetables to Gaza

We participated in an extraordinary evening titled "Voices for Freedom", which aims at supporting our Revive Gaza's Farmland project. The event was organized by the “Together for Umi” Initiative in collaboration with Creative Kids Entertainment and Ahliyyah & Mutran School in Amman.

Our Trees Honor Martyr Maher Al-Jazi in Maan

We planted 550 olive and stone fruit trees in honor of martyr Maher Al-Jazi on his family's land, with the participation of 35 volunteers.

We Completed the Planting of 347 Dunums in Gaza with Support from Direct Aid and Kuwait Society for Relief

In northern Gaza, the project planted 246,350 vegetable seedlings across an area of 153.65 dunams, supporting 91 farming families with 555 individuals, in addition to 20 kg of hamsees (a local herb). As for southern Gaza, 531,300 vegetable seedlings were planted across 193 dunams, supporting110 farming families comprising 683 individuals.

We Condemned Complicity to Genocide in Gaza at CFS-52 in Rome

At the 52nd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS-52) held in Rome, we called out global powers for their inaction and complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Representing the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty (ANFS) which holds Civil Society West Asia seat, APN Advocacy and Research Officer, Lisa Shahin, delivered a powerful opening statement on behalf of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples Mechanism (CSIPM).

A New Project to Plant 85,000 Fruit Trees in Palestine in Partnership with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

In an inspiring new step to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and strengthen food sovereignty, we announced the launch of a new project under our Million Tree Campaign, funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. The project aims to plant 85,000 diverse fruit trees, including olives, stone fruits, citrus fruits, grapes, figs, pomegranates, and guavas, across extensive areas in the West Bank.

APN and PCFS Launch Campaign Urging UN to Exert Pressure to Enter Seeds into Gaza

In partnership with PCFS, we launched a campaign urging international organisations to take immediate action to ensure the entry of essential agricultural inputs into Gaza, particularly seeds - which have been blocked by the Israeli Occupation.

APN Chairperson Razan Zuayter Lectures at Youth Program Hosted by Qatar Foundation

Zuayter lectures on understanding colonization, settler colonialism, and the weaponization of food and the environment at the Ri’aya Youth Program by Al-Mujadilah Center - Qatar Foundation.

2,000 Fruit Trees Cultivated with Support from the Housing Bank

We planted 2,000 fruit trees with support of Housing Bank’s diamond sponsorship of the Green Caravan programme. The planting took place through several activities in different areas, with the latest being the planting of 500 trees on a farm in the Deir Alla area of the Central Jordan Valley.

In the Face of Occupation, 2,000 Trees Planted in 'Aqqaba with Hikma Pharmaceuticals' Support

Amid increasing daily challenges, we remain committed in our mission to support and stand with Palestinian farmers. Recently, we planted 2,000 fruit trees, funded by Hikma Pharmaceuticals, on a land in the village of 'Aqqaba, Jericho. In a village resisting on multiple fronts, each tree serves as a small shield against the relentless tactics of the occupation.

We Delivered Strong Messages to Sweden on Its Responsibility Towards Palestine

During the Israeli Ecocide Conference organized by Sweden’s Left Party in Malmö, APN General Manager delivered a series of candid messages, highlighting the contrast between Sweden’s historical support for Palestine and its current alignment with Israel.

Launching the Economic Empowerment and Enhancement of Food and Water Security in the Jordan Valley Project

Under the patronage of Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, we launched the project in collaboration with the International Islamic Charitable Organization. The project targets 600 farming families in the northern, central, and southern Jordan Valley.

We Called for an Integrated Arab Strategy to Address the Food Security Crisis at ESCWA Regional Forum

APN Chairperson shed light on the structural challenges hindering food security in the Arab world during a compelling speech at the Regional Forum for Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in the Arab Region, held in Jordan on 30 October 2024.

Jub Al Dhib Comes to Life with 2,000 Fruit Trees

In the heart of the eastern countryside of Bethlehem, on the land of the village of Jub Al Dhib, APN and the Jub Al Dhib Women’s Association with the support of Ideal Solutions Company, planted 2,000 fruit trees, including olive, stone fruits, and guava trees, as part of the Million Tree Campaign.

Our Call for Effective Action to Address Agricultural Land Degradation At UN-Habitat Workshop in Jordan

APN General Manager highlighted the importance of coordinating efforts among stakeholders to ensure effective and sustainable land management that supports the rights of small farmers, as well as fostering participatory policymaking, particularly in light of settler-colonial ambitions. She made these remarks during a workshop organized by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Arab Land Initiative.

Chery Supports Our Tree-Planting Programmes in Jordan and Gaza

We signed a cooperation agreement with the Central Trade and Auto Company (Chery) under which Chery will support the APN’s tree-planting programs in Jordan and Palestine.

Our Lecture on the Weaponization of Food at the University of British Colombia

APN Advocacy and Research Officer delivered a lecture for a graduate research lab at the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia on the weaponization of food in Palestine, outlining Israeli tactics that aim to dismantle the agricultural sector and create dependence.

We Planted Life with 2000 Trees in Al Nassariya

We continue to support the steadfastness of local communities through planting 2000 fruit trees in the lands of Al Nassariya. This was undertaken with the support of the family of Khaled Darwaza and Fayza Anabtawi.

From Tokenism to Real Partnerships: Our Perspective on Climate Justice and Youth at ActionAid Conference

We joined the "Arab Youth and Climate Justice" panel at the “Echoes of CoP29” conference, where APN Advocacy and Research Officer emphasized the need for youth to move beyond symbolic roles toward shaping strategies and policies, and urged strategic and collaborative advocacy for regional priorities.

Gaza’s Martyrs Garden Adorned with 705 New Olive Trees

We planted 350 new olive saplings to honor the martyrs of Gaza's children, in collaboration with the "Family Pledge" as part of the Green Caravan programme, in the Gaza’s Martyrs Garden in the Al-Amiriyah area.

Entrepreneurs Call for Expanding Collaboration Across Sectors to Combat Famine in Gaza

APN General Manager emphasized that by expanding the umbrella of collaboration and providing the necessary support, Revive Gaza’s Farmland Project could meet, even partially, the essential food needs of Gazans.

Environmental Justice for Palestine Conference in Jericho: Our Call for Action and Collective Work

APN Chairperson underscored the critical role of collective action in tackling the environmental injustice inflicted by the Israeli occupation during the two-day conference "Environmental Justice for Palestine" held on 10 December 2024.

We Planted 750 Olive Trees in Beit Ummar and Al-Jab'a with Support from Algerian Baraka Association

In an effort to enhance the steadfastness of Palestinian farmers to cultivate lands threatened by confiscation, APN planted 750 olive trees in the villages of Beit Ummar and Al-Jab'a with the support of the Algerian Baraka Association.

Bank of Jordan Plants Hope with APN in Jordan Valley Farms

In an initiative embodying a deep connection to the land, 50 volunteers from the Bank of Jordan partnered with APN to plant 500 citrus and guava trees in the farm of Abu Hassan in the Jordan Valley.

The Absence of International Institutions Has Worsened Gaza’s Food Crisis, and We Stepped in to Fill the Gap

APN General Manager also raised questions about the role of independent civil society organizations in addressing the genocide against Gaza, during her participation in a consultative workshop on rebuilding Gaza's food system, organized by Taawon.

A Lecture on Ecocide and Famine in Gaza During UN Day on Weaponizing the Environment

APN General Manager called for legal recognition of ecocide as a crime during a recorded speech at a workshop organized by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society as part of its annual event marking the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.

Engaging Youth at the 3rd Annual ACS Amman Community Partners Fair “From Empathy to Action”

In a continued partnership with the American Community School (ACS), APN participated in the 3rd annual Amman Community Partners Fair, “From Empathy to Action”.

300 Fruit Trees Planted in Iraq Al-Amir Supported by ABC Bank

With the support of ABC Bank, we planted 300 fruit trees, including citrus and guava, on the land of farmer Abu Mohammad in the Iraq Al-Amir area.

We Marked World Hunger Day with PCFS Webinar on Palestine

On World Hunger Day 2024, we co-organised a webinar titled “Zero In: Palestine - Uphold the Palestinian People's Food Sovereignty!”, along with People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), Arab Network for Food Sovereignty (ANFS), and ILPS-Asia Pacific.

Our Warning at ILPS Teach-in: Controlling Energy is the Path to Controlling the World

During a Teach-in organized by the International League of Peoples' Struggles (ILPS), APN Agricultural Advisor, Hassan Al Jaajaa, stated that the destruction and genocidal campaigns led by the West target the entire region and its resources, primarily energy.

An Educational Agricultural Activity with Jesuit Refugee Service

We organized an educational agricultural activity in collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Service. The event aimed to teach a group of volunteers from diverse nationalities how to plant productive seeds and seedlings of medicinal herbs in the organization’s garden.

250 Citrus Trees Planted in Deir Alla with Tesco’s Support

In a scene filled with the spirit of giving and connection to the land and its people, Tesco and its employees, in collaboration with APN, participated in planting 250 citrus trees in Deir Alla in the Central Jordan Valley.

From Kuwait: APN Speaks on International Day for Disaster Reduction

We participated in a training session organized by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, where APN General Manager shared recommendations on addressing the root causes of disasters and preventing risks rather than enduring them.

Our Participation in Eco Venture Week at Mashreq International School

We participated in the Eco Venture Week organized by Mashreq International School where APN Advocacy and Research Officer delivered several lectures to students of various grade levels, highlighting the vital importance of trees, agriculture, and the environment.

We Planted 200 Trees in Kuraymah – Jordan Valley with Support from EastNets

As part of the Green Caravan programme, we planted 200 citrus trees along with employees of EastNets in Kuraymah area of the Jordan Valley.

Our Call for Urgent Action for Gaza During Meeting with Official Delegation from Michigan

We met with an official delegation from Michigan headed by Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of Dearborn. The delegation was hosted by The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) in Amman, alongside several civil society organisations with a long history of advocacy and support for the Palestinian cause.

PwC and APN Plant 200 Trees

Twenty employees from PwC joined us in an agricultural activity, planting 200 fruit trees in Abu Saydo area of the Northern Jordan Valley as a step towards supporting small farmers in the area.

Al Nisr Al Arabi Insurance Employees Rekindle Memories with a Local Farmer’s Family

In a gesture that embodies the spirit of cooperation and connection with the land and community, 40 employees from Al Nisr Al Arabi Insurance Company joined APN to plant 120 citrus trees in the Central Jordan Valley. After the planting activity, the employees visited a land, which we had previously partnered to plant trees on.

American Community School Students Plant 100 Fruit Trees in Badr-Amman to Raise Environmental Awareness

In an activity aimed at promoting food sovereignty and agricultural sustainability, students from the American Community School in Amman joined us in planting 100 fruit trees in Badr area in Amman.

Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation Plants 100 Fruit Trees in the Jordan Valley

We planted 100 fruit trees in the Central Jordan Valley along with the Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation as part of the Green Caravan programme.

APN and Zadcom For Relief & Development Plant 100 Trees in Souf-Jerash

In a joint effort to promote agricultural sustainability and support local communities, we collaborated with Zadcom for Relief and Development to plant 100 trees of various stone fruit varieties as well as a dunum of fava bean plants in Souf-Jerash. 

DSV Company Plants 100 Olive, Fig, and Stone Fruit Trees in Badr Area

In collaboration with APN, DSV Company planted 100 olive, fig, and stone fruit trees on a farmer’s land in Badr area as part of the Green Caravan programme.

Students of Asamiah International School Plant 66 Trees in Badr

We planted 66 fruit trees with students from the Asamiah International School on a farmer’s land in Badr area-Amman.

Media Coverage of Our Work – October to December 2024

Our work and activities were featured in various media outlets between October and December 2024.