Planting Trees as an act of Resistance

Longer story to follow - some photos in the meantime...

At-Tuwani village, south Hebron hills.
Palestinian locals, Israeli Jews and internationals walk to the At-Tuwani olive groves to plant trees (followed by an army jeep).

To disrupt the tree planting, Jewish settlers (some masked) harass and attack the village sheep while the army looks on, powerless to intervene in the behaviour of Israeli citizens (while the police - who could intervene with the settlers - choose not to come).

Unable to deter the settlers intent on provocation, the army chooses to use their power on those they can - the At-Tuwani people - Palestinians under military occupation.

Now threatened with arrest, the villlagers are told to leave their own olive groves and grazing land.

Arrests are made and tear gas used; an older man is aided after being affected (later taken away by ambulance).

The military brings in large scale reinforcements to move the villagers and their supporters.

We go back to CPT base and learn that settlers have chosen today to attack and harass communities in at least three locations we have visited in the last week - all within 20 km of each other - including burning cars of Palestinians.

Part of an ongoing campaign of harassment, violence and aggression designed to push Palestinians off the little land they have left.