La Via Campesina Delegation Witnesses Harrowing Impact of Israeli Occupation in the West Bank
From 8-18 December 2024, a delegation from La Via Campesina (LVC) traveled to Palestine at the invitation of the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), a member organization of LVC. This visit aimed to bring solidarity to the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza and systematic displacement in the West Bank, while also documenting firsthand the intensifying Israeli occupation and apartheid policies.
The delegation observed alarming developments, including the confiscation of over 50,000 dunams (5,000 hectares) of Palestinian land since 7 October 2023, and the erection of nearly 900 security gates restricting movement across the West Bank. These measures have isolated Palestinian towns and villages, turning daily life into a struggle for survival amidst expanding settlements and military controls.
During the 10-day visit, the delegation toured key regions, including Nablus, the Jordan Valley, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, and met with Palestinian farmers, governors, and representatives from civil society organizations, including women’s cooperatives, youth groups, and human rights advocates. The meetings revealed a bleak reality: systematic policies of home demolitions, land seizures, and restrictions on access to water have devastated the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers and rural communities.
The delegation also heard testimonies recounting daily violence by settlers, protected and supported by the Israeli military. Farmers recounted stories of attacks, crop destruction, and the theft of agricultural produce, highlighting a deliberate effort to displace Palestinians and strip them of their means of survival. Such testimonies underscored the urgent need for international intervention to halt these crimes against humanity.
Palestinian agriculture, deeply tied to its heritage, faces existential threats from the occupation. The delegation witnessed the resilience of Palestinian farmers and their steadfast determination to stay on their land despite decades of displacement and violence. In the Jordan Valley, which serves as Palestine’s food basket, UAWC’s efforts to support farmers through land reclamation, seed banks, and training programs were especially noteworthy. These initiatives aim to preserve Palestinian food sovereignty and challenge the foundations of the Israeli settler-colonial project.
A Call for Global Action
La Via Campesina condemns the complicit role of Western governments in enabling these atrocities through silence and trade agreements with Israel. The delegation calls for an immediate boycott of agricultural products from illegal Israeli settlements and the rejection of any agreements that support the occupation. Governments and human rights advocates must act decisively to hold Israel accountable and stand in solidarity with Palestinian farmers and communities.
The hospitality and unwavering spirit of the Palestinian people left a profound impression on the delegation. Their resilience, generosity, and steadfast commitment to justice embody the strength needed to overcome decades of oppression.
La Via Campesina reaffirms its commitment to the Palestinian cause and will continue to amplify the voices of those on the frontlines. The delegation’s return marks the beginning of renewed solidarity initiatives, with plans to share testimonies and develop strategies to support Palestinian farmers and their struggle for freedom and dignity.
Long live Palestine, and long live Palestinian farmers!
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