It’s the olive harvest season in Palestine, although not in Gaza for obvious reasons.

If you didn’t already know just how sacred the olive tree is to Palestinians, you’ll hopefully get a glimpse after this episode of Falastin where we turn to that season of connection, and to one of the organisations keeping it alive in spirit and action.

The Dalia Association is a leading community foundation in the occupied West Bank. One of their most beautiful initiatives is the Olive Harvest Solidarity Volunteering Program, an effort that brings people from around the world to harvest side by side with Palestinian farmers, standing in solidarity with those whose lands and livelihoods are constantly under threat.

Farmers in the West Bank face constant Israeli settler attacks, land confiscations, and the destruction of olive trees, acts meant not only to harm livelihoods, but to sever the deep bond between Palestinians and their soil. Yet, in the midst of this violence and uncertainty, the harvest continues, as a form of resistance, community, and hope.
Joining me to discuss this is Nour Nusseibeh, the Executive Director of Dalia Association. Nour is a development professional with over 16 years of experience in community building, program design, and participatory rights-based development.

Just before the Gaza ceasefire was announced, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of civilian boats carrying aid and solidarity, was raided by Israeli forces in international waters.
In this episode of Falastin, Jehan Alfarra speaks to David Heap, a long-time member and organiser of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, about the status of the most recent mission to Gaza and the flotilla effort as a whole.
Heap is a Canadian academic and activist who has spent years working to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, a blockade now entering its 18th year.

For today’s episode of Falastin I wanted to take a break from our usual interviews to share some personal thoughts on this significant moment.

As we take a deep breath with Gaza, let us remind ourselves: a ceasefire is temporary. Justice is permanent. And until justice comes, our work and our attention cannot stop.