Palestinians honor Jimmy Carter by planting olive grove in the West Bank

In Tulkarem, a northern town in the West Bank, Palestinian activists and local residents commemorated the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter by planting a grove of olive trees. This event occurred shortly after Carter's passing on December 29, 2022, at the age of 100. The olive grove, named 'Freedom Farm,' spans approximately 2.5 acres and consists of 250 newly planted olive trees. Abbas Melhem, the executive manager of the Palestinian Farmers Union, highlighted the symbolic importance of the grove, emphasizing Carter's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause throughout his life. The commemoration was organized by a local advocacy group in collaboration with Treedom for Palestine, a U.S. nonprofit aimed at empowering Palestinian farmers through tree planting initiatives. The shared sentiment among attendees was that planting olive trees, which can live for over a century, was an appropriate tribute to honor Carter's legacy, alongside his noteworthy contributions to peace initiatives, such as brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in 1978. Besides commemorating a revered figure, the act of planting the grove represents a broader expression of Palestinian resilience and hope for independence. Historically, olive trees are a significant part of Palestinian culture and economy, symbolizing continuity and sustenance. However, this dedication also sheds light on the ongoing struggle Palestinians face, including threats to their agricultural heritage from extremist groups who have targeted olive tree groves in the past. Carter's later years saw him express strong criticism of Israeli policies regarding Palestinian territories, denouncing practices he characterized as apartheid. His voice became increasingly relevant to the Palestinian narrative as the region continued to grapple with complex geopolitical issues. The planting of the olive grove serves not only as a memorial but also as a symbol of the enduring struggle of the Palestinian people towards independence and recognition.