Mobilization Against Wall in Jayyous
By Sonia Nettnin
The Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign issued a press release about this Tuesday’s mobilization in
Jayyous, located in the Qaqiliya District, against Israel’s wall.
The people of Jayyous and the campaign that launched the peaceful demonstration want the Palestinian presidential
candidates present. Members of the EU Election Monitors delegation will be in the Jayyous Municipality Building on
Tuesday. Palestinian presidential elections are January 9th.
According to the press release, located at stopthewall.org, the village wants international and national politicians
and diplomats to adopt a seedling olive tree on Tuesday. The planting signifies the 400 olive trees razed by occupation
forces on December 10th.
The uprooting of Palestinian farmland is for the Israeli settlement, Nofei Zufim. The wall’s construction destroyed 550
dunums of land and it isolated approximately 8,600 dunums of the village’s land (around 2,150 acres). The construction
destroyed groundwater wells, hydrology initiatives and greenhouses.
Although Israelis may perceive this settlement as expansion of the Israeli settlement Zufin, it destroys Jayyous’
infrastructure. Jayyous is an agricultural community, which relies on its olive and citrus groves for economic
stability. The destruction of trees and confiscation of Palestinian land impoverishes the people in this community.
Last year, the International Court of Justice decided the wall should be dismantled, but the international community
has not stopped the wall’s continued construction.
The presence of the Palestinian presidential candidates at Tuesday’s demonstration may help Jayyous’ undecided voters
choose a candidate.