On the 30th April, 2011, rain fell on Deir Istya, Palestine, and we reluctantly accept that we would not be planting trees that day. As a compensation the Mayor offered to take us and the group of predominantly Israeli volunteers with us to Wadi Qana. We were there as part of the Being Peace weekend retreat, an opportunity for Israelis to "meet the neighbours". Hopefully forging new friendships and initiatives for peaceful co-existence, whether in two states or one. But definately to see and feel the occupation, and get to know what it means for us all.
Here is a report of what we saw and what we were told. This was not a fact finding mission and I have not corroborated the evidence, I offer it on as it is.
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People from the village show the spring full of trash and algae which they hope could be stopped by a structure over the pool. They are willing to carry out the work but are denied permission. |
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The beginning of a 500m channel dug by the people of the village to bring the water to the fruit trees. It took 45 days of work for 6 people. |
The Channel was destroyed by the Authority of Nature Reserves because it was diverting the natural flow of the water.   |
The fences which stood on the walls surrounding these young olives to protect them from wild pigs, were pulled down. The villagers now doubt their survival. |
These trees possibly ten years old, are now being ordered to be uprooted. The ministry demands that no new trees can be planted in the area. Again the first news of a breach of the rules is coming after 10 years of care by the villagers. |
The only maintained road in the valley comes from one of the settlements Karney Shomron.
The villagers are not allowed to improve or maintain the road from their village through the reserve. |
I'm not sure if this green pipe (in the near distance running left to right) is sewage, or if it is taking water. But there have been reports of the sewage from the settlements which are 360ยบ around the valley, leaking in the past (In 2005, but also last week 2011 according to the Mayor.). |
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A note left on a pile of tyres intended to be used as raised bed gardens for herbs.
The note gave 24 hours for the removal of 300 tyres. |
Raised beds in the nature reserve. |
I don't know if I have a view on whether any of these events are justifiable or not. But here is some food for thought. Can a Nature Reserve be a way of persecution? Should a Nature Reserve be forced upon a people by a foreign power? Should the local people have an equal voice in how it is run? Could there be a two-tier system where-by a Settlement could be having a lot looser rules and regulations imposed on them versus tighter and possibly economically crippling effects on their Palestinian neighbours? Could this all be done in a better way?
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May we all learn to live in Nathan Glyde |
