CPTnet
7 April 2006

HEBRON: Israeli army forbids tree planting

On 30 March, to commemorate the anniversary Land Day, Hebron Palestinians
set out to plant olive saplings on the site of the demolished orchards along
Haret Jaber, called "Worshipper's Way" by the Israeli settlers in Hebron.
David Corcoran, David Jansen, John Lynes and Paul Rehm from the Hebron team
joined them.

Haret Jaber was the scene of an ambush in November 2002 in which
Palestinian militants attacked and killed twelve Israeli soldiers and
security people before they were killed themselves. Afterwards, the
Israeli military bulldozed the Palestinian orchards on both sides of the
path, and angry Israeli settlers smashed the windows of every house in the
neighborhood.

Since 1976 Palestinians have observed Land Day on 30 March to remember six
Palestinians killed in the Galilee during a protest against the confiscation
of their land by the Israeli government.

Shortly after the planting commenced, twenty five Israeli soldiers and
twelve police came on the scene, declaring the area a "closed military zone"
and giving the Palestinians notice that they would be arrested in ten
minutes if they did not leave. Two CPTers, David Corcoran and John Lynes,
refused to move. The Palestinians retrieved their remaining unplanted
saplings and retreated slowly. Once they had left, Corcoran and Lynes
followed them.

Palestinians who participated in the public witness expressed warm gratitude
for the CPT presence.