Greetings from Palestine: A Rooting Resistance Update from USCPR’s Executive Director
By Ahmad Abuznaid, USCPR Executive Director
Greetings from Palestine. Last week, I visited our longtime partners at the Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) in Jenin and the olive trees you helped plant in the surrounding villages.
I’m excited to share about my first in-person visit, where I had the chance to see the fruits of your labor, love, and donations—the olive trees that you’ve helped plant through USCPR’s annual Rooting Resistance campaign and the farming families they’ve assisted over the years.
During my time in Jenin, it was an honor to meet our friend and partner, Mohamed Ruzi of the PFTA, in person. While there, Mohamed also introduced me to Mohammed Zein Aldeen, a participant in the PFTA’s Trees for Life program.
Mohamed generously organized a tour of the area for me. It was powerful to stand in olive groves that you and so many others have helped plant, nourish, and survive. I want to thank you for your steadfast support; please watch this 30-second video I recorded from the olive groves:
Mohamed also shared photos with us from the planting season in the spring—when the saplings that your donations allowed were distributed to farmers.
It’s such an honor to help support Palestinian farming families and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you again!
Ahmad Abuznaid is the Executive Director at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.