AFSC Chicago Palestinian Olive Oil Project

Ziyarat az Zeitoun (Arabic for Visiting the Olives) is an educational and advocacy project organized by the American Friends Service Committee that highlights Palestinian culture and current political realities on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through focusing on the Palestinian olive harvest.

Ziyarat az Zeitoun offers resources to individuals and groups to plan gatherings where people can sample and purchase Palestinian olive oil, hear stories of olive harvesting and learn about the situation of Palestinian farmers and solidarity efforts of Israeli and international peace groups.

Why is it important to support the Palestinian olive harvest?

Olive trees have been a part of the Palestinian landscape for thousands of years. They are also the second major crop in Palestine, used to produce olive oil, olive wood and olive based soap. Symbolically, olive trees represent the Palestinian nation and people's ties to the land. More broadly, the olive branches are international symbols of peace and tranquility, needed now more than ever in this devastated part of the world.

For thousands of rural families in Palestine, agriculture is the main economic activity, as well as the major source of food. Every year, olive oil production accounts for 15 to 19% of total agricultural output in Palestine.

Since 2000 and the subsequent tightening of Israeli military closure policies, restrictions of movement and access to water, Palestinian productive capacities have been severely limited. Palestinian olive producers have been brought to the brink of destitution. Prevented from accessing their land, markets and the cities, the farmers are now struggling to make ends meet. Struggling to survive the hard times, families have been spending their savings or relying on loans, sometimes selling land and livestock to buy food or meet emergency needs (Oxfam 2002).

AFSC Chicago currently sells Palestinian olive oil marketed through Zatoun and Holy Land Olive Oil. To schedule a Ziyarat az Zeitoun gathering, contact AFSC (312) 427-2533 x18 or by email at olives@afsc.org.