This week Gjermund, Lars and I joined a group visiting a village called Artas. Awad Abu-Swai from The Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign showed us around. Artas is situated just by the security wall, which means that the land is very vulnerable for confiscation. The Israeli government gives different reasons for confiscating the land. Sometimes they say that land that is not cultivated, belongs to the state. Often lack of infrastructure and water makes it difficult for the farmers to work their land.
- Even if it belongs to the state, Awad commented,
- it should be used to benefit the population. But it is not, it is given to Israeli settlers.
In an attempt to avoid confiscation, Awads organization have decided to cultivate new areas in Artas and build small farm houses there, shelters where the farmers can keep their tools. An old dam is going to be fixed and will provide for irrigation. The plan is to make 30 such shelters before December. The inhabitants of Artas cannot know whether their efforts will be in vain. Many trees have been uprooted as part of land confiscations at the West Bank. Still these people are fighting with peaceful means, with water, trees and shelters.
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