Save OASIS, an Arab-Jewish organic olive grove

The organic plantation, named “Oasis – organic agriculture for solidarity between Arab and Israeli societies” is an innovative and unique project, established in December 2009. It turned 95 dunams (9.5 hectares) of uncultivated land in the Roha area of Wadi Ara into a modern organic olive grove.

A solidarity rally in the grove on Friday, May 9th, at 10:00

The organic plantation, named “Oasis – organic agriculture for solidarity between Arab and Israeli societies” is an innovative and unique project, established in December 2009. It turned 95 dunams (9.5 hectares) of uncultivated land in the Roha area of Wadi Ara into a modern organic olive grove.

The project is a product of partnership between Sindyanna of Galilee Fair Trade Association and the Al-Juzour Association of landowners from Ar’ara. It is the only olive grove in the local area which is managed by organic and intensive agricultural methods. The land had previously been used by the IDF as a firing zone, and had not been cultivated since 1948.

The project is now threatened under National Outline Plan 6/g/10, which approved the installation of a 70 meter-wide stretch of over-ground high voltage cables in October of 2012. The original route went over uncultivated state-owned land, but was subsequently diverted because of IDF opposition. The installation will occupy 35 dunams (3.5 hectares), comprising over a third of the olive grove. Moreover, radiation from the high voltage cables (400 kW) will affect an area 300 meters wide, thus compromising the organic nature of the plantation.

Over 1 million NIS have been invested in the olive grove project, establishing water supplies and infrastructure, clearance, fencing and cultivation. The project has attracted much praise and received Ministry of Agriculture grants. It has been an attraction for visitors and delegations from inside and out of Israel. Every year, hundreds of volunteers, both Arab and Jews, arrive to do seasonal work in the plantation, promoting tolerance and coexistence. Ironically, this land, which had been an IDF firing zone and been derelict for decades, is now destined to return to desolation because of IDF insistence to change the original electricity route.

The damage of the electricity line will be enormous. The cable line in Wadi Ara, will be 10 kilometers long (in aerial line). The cable belt will cause direct damage to at least 1,000 dunams (100 hectares), while radiation emanating from the cables will affect at least 4,000 dunams (400 hectares) of private olive plantations.

Sindyanna of Galilee, Al-Juzour Association and other affected landowners demand to remove the electricity line from the cultivated areas to avert severe economic and environmental damage to olive groves.

Save Oasis, an oasis of modern, organic cultivation and coexistence

For further information: Michal Schwartz 972-50-4330067

To the Sindyanna of the Galilee site

 

MORE...

News

Fighting for peace and cooperation between Palestinian and Israeli workers in times of war

Following is a talk by Yoav Gal Tamir that was given to the Global Labour Institute School under the headline “Young Union Leaders Imagining International Trade Unionism”. The GLI gathering of 100 activists took place at the end of November near Paris. MAAN’s representative Yoav Gal Tamir talked about the union’s role today, after the October Massacre by Hamas and Israel’s retaliation. Tamir also emphasized MAAN’s unique role as a union that works in Israel, defends and organizes both Israeli and Palestinian workers.

READ MORE »
The East Jerusalem Project

Solidarity across borders: residents of East and West Jerusalem work together in crisis and build the foundations of a common future

Jerusalem after October 7 is a city marked by suspicion and fear. The city economy has been hit hard, and many in both the Jewish and Palestinian communities prefer to avoid public spaces. In the immediate days after the war began, checkpoints around the city have been shut, cutting off the Palestinians living in the outskirts of the city. That would be around one third of the city’s residents who are left in a dire economic situation. Amidst this, dozens of organizations – both Jewish and Palestinian – begun working to provide relief. MAAN Workers Association (MAAN) joined the Jerusalem’s civilian Emergency Center, especially the branch set up for the East Jerusalem residents. Together, these organizations in both sides of the city create an enclave of sanity, bringing hope in solidarity.

READ MORE »

אנא כתבו את שמכם המלא, טלפון ותיאור קצר של נושא הפנייה, ונציג\ה של מען יחזרו אליכם בהקדם האפשרי.

رجاءً اكتبوا اسمكم الكامل، الهاتف، ووصف قصير حول موضوع توجهكم، ومندوب عن نقابة معًا سيعاود الاتصال بكم لاحقًا








As an organization committed to the rights of workers without distinction of religion, race, nationality, gender, or profession - democracy is our essence. We strongly oppose the authoritarian laws that the extreme government of Netanyahu, Lapid, Bennett, and Smotrich is attempting to impose.

Without democracy, there are no workers' rights, just as a workers' organization cannot exist under dictatorship.

only a victory of the democratic camp will enable a discussion on the Palestinian issue and lead to an alternative solution to occupation and apartheid while ensuring human rights and citizenship for all, Israelis and Palestinians alike. As long as the apartheid regime persists, the democratic camp will not succeed in defeating Israeli extremists. Therefore, we work to involve the Arab and Palestinian society in the protest.

We invite you:

To march with us in protests and to build an alternative, democratic, Jewish-Arab professional union in Israel. Join our quiet WhatsApp group today, "Marching with us in protest."

To join MAAN and unite workers in your workplace. Read here how to join the organization.

To follow MAAN's work on social networks.

Please write your full name, phone number, and a brief description of the subject of your inquiry, and a representative from our organization will get back to you as soon as possible.