Voices of Hope Part III: The Tent of Nations

Tree of Life   
March 15th, 2011

Credit: Rodrigo Nuno Braganca da Cunha/WikiMedia

If you stand on Daoud Nassar’s beautiful farm and look around, you will see five Israeli settlements encircling his land. According to International Law, it is illegal for an occupying nation to transfer their people into the occupied territory. The settlements are therefore illegal. But despite this blatant violation of the law, the settlements have expanded, even in the year since I have been to Daoud’s land, home to the Tent of Nations. This was our final stop of the day–Daoud’s green, lush orchards, filled with almond and cherry trees, grape vines, and, of course, olive trees.

After arriving, we planted a special cedar tree in honor of Jiries’ late mother, Huda, an amazing and deeply missed woman, who passed away in December. All members of the group planted olive trees in the Tree of Life Orchard, a plot of land dedicated to the Tree of Life Community. Members of many past trips have planted trees in that orchard, and we hope to return in a few years to see the fruits (literally) of our labor. The wet day turned the fertile soil into damp, sticky mud that ended up caked to our shoes(Luckily, Ted’s shoe-cleaning service came to the rescue of many mud encrusted sneakers).

Daoud later shared with us the history of the Tent of Nations and his current struggle to maintain the land. Daoud continues to promote non-violent resistance through his orchard and the planting of olive trees. As a symbol of hope, the olive branches of Daoud’s orchard and his influence extend to Palestinians, Israelis and foreign citizens who come to plant trees.

His underground caves and solar panels represent the struggles he endures while fighting to maintain his land. Because the Israeli government wants Daoud’s land in order to connect the five surrounding settlements, they have issued nine demolition orders on standing structures–some of which are tents–on his land. To subvert their efforts, he has renovated caves, using them as functional spaces that the demolition orders have no authority to demolish. Daoud furthermore installed solar panels, determined not to rely on the Israeli-controlled power supply that they can turn off at any time. He is completely self sufficient and is determined to keep his land.

During his discussion with us, Daoud revealed to us that he had met a settler who had helped him obtain materials and bring them to his farm, demonstrating the potential of people to unite for a common goal. Despite the tense relationship Daoud has with Israel because of the settlements, the settler who has helped him, like the man Marianne Saadeh spoke with, is beginning to understand the unjust practices of the Israeli government. Daoud described the tree types of settlers who live in the illegal establishments.

1. Settler Type 1: the “I Believe it is my Right” settlers. When he was hosting an Israeli group who wanted to plant trees and speak with a Palestinian, Daoud debated one of the men in the group about the legal status of his land. Daoud explained to the man that the land had been in his family for many generations and that his documents prove his ownership. The other man, argued that it was actually Israeli land because he didn’t need paper; he had the word of God.
2. Settler Type 2: The “Financially conscious” settler. Provided with economic relief, many settlers move to Israel for economic reasons; not political or religious reasons.
3. Settler Type 3: The “I don’t know” settler. Many settlers, like the one who helped Daoud, are completely ignorant of the situation in Palestine. They say, “Why do you have problems with water when we have a pool?” Unknowingly, they live in the illegal, resource-sucking housing developments, never understanding what is beyond their clean, new buildings.

Daoud maintains hope. The man who enabled him to continue living on his farm and working successfully, provided him with the affirmation of the good in people. Daoud’s motto is, “We Refuse to Be Enemies.” He says one cannot hate or become violent because hatred provides Israelis with proof that their actions are justified. Daoud’s method of resistance is education and peace. Share stories and people just might listen.

Story originated and read more at the Tree of Life Blog

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3 Responses to “Voices of Hope Part III: The Tent of Nations”

• kbamipim says:

  April 22, 2011 at 5:18 am

  SE4kit bcogbbeqzbdg

  Reply
• bsgmzufv says:

  April 22, 2011 at 9:28 am

  Br8ths enasikaxenhl

  Reply
• Omeros says:

  November 6, 2011 at 4:09 pm

  Is it possible for me to get in touch with the farmer. In July next year I will be planning an olive pilgrimage and travelling to Syria, Greece, Italy, Spain and Israel. I would like to get in touch with the owner in order to ask him if I could come and visit him at his farm.

  Reply