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Action Card Briefing – November 2008
Zaytoun has helped
Palestinian farmers pioneer the marketing of fairly traded olive oil in
Europe.
“Fair trade” is a
relatively new concept in the Middle East, however as a broader
principle it is enshrined in Islamic doctrine. Palestinian farmers have
produced oil from ancient olive trees for generations, tending the
hillside groves by hand.
Unlike European producers,
Palestinian farmers face severe disadvantages because of the
restrictions placed by the Israeli occupation on movement and
communication with the rest of the world. Israel has steadily
intensified its network of checkpoints, roadblocks and “settler-only”
roads, and constructed a wall stretching 700km. As a result of these
restrictions on movement, many Palestinians cannot access their land or
water resources, travel to work or sell their goods in the market.
Between 1999 and 2004 poverty increased by 30%. Neither do Palestinian
olive producers receive governmental subsidies, and their crops do not
benefit from extensive irrigation or mechanisation. For a country where
over half the population is involved in agriculture, a sustainable
market for one of their most important exports is crucial.
In times when many
consumers make buying decisions according to price alone, and with no
knowledge of the producing communities and lands, we see the fair-trade
story as a way of supporting an ancient way of life through telling its
story and providing fair wages. Fair trade buyers ensure that farmers do
not miss out in the market because of a global glut, nor because of
unfair market conditions. Buyers and producers are linked through the
stories we tell on our websites, and through our products, as well as
the tours we promote, and our trade provides continuity of trade as well
as development opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
Fair trade also has an
important role to play in the protection of human rights by promoting
social justice, sound environmental practices and economic security.
Each bottle of olive oil speaks of the
story of its producers. It is not simply about the exchange of goods for
money. It is about the exchange of people’s stories, keeping ancient
cultures and communities alive.
Send card of support to: Air mail sticker and
56p stamp
Dorothy Naor
15 Hapoel Street
Nof Yam
Herzliya 46626
Israel
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