Palestinians Dedicate Olive Grove to Jimmy Carter in Recognition of His Support for Their Cause

Palestinian activists and residents of a northern West Bank town gathered to honour the late US President Jimmy Carter by planting an olive grove. They described Carter as a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause. The grove, named "Freedom Farm," spans 10 dunams (2.5 acres) and includes 250 newly planted olive trees.

The Palestinian Farmers Union, led by Abbas Melhem, is spearheading this initiative. They plan to fence the farm to safeguard the trees from wild animals and extremist settlers who have previously targeted Palestinian olive trees. Melhem stated, "Carter's legacy will have been rooted among people, mainly in Palestine, because he was one of those only who stood firmly supporting the struggle of the Palestinians for independence and for freedom."

Empowering Palestinian Farmers

The project is a collaboration between the West Bank-based advocacy group and Treedom for Palestine, a US nonprofit. This organisation focuses on empowering Palestinian farmers through tree planting initiatives. The effort aims to strengthen local agriculture while honouring Carter's memory.

Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. He is remembered for brokering the Camp David peace accords between Israel and Egypt in 1978. In his later years, he was vocal about his criticism of Israel's policies towards Palestinians, describing the situation in the West Bank as akin to apartheid.

This initiative not only commemorates Carter's support but also seeks to provide tangible benefits to Palestinian farmers. By planting these olive trees, they aim to create a lasting tribute that aligns with Carter's values and dedication to peace and justice.