Archbishop Gary Beaver Launches Project to Replant Olive Trees in Palestinian West Bank

Orthodox Old Catholic Archbishop Gary Beaver launched this week, his personal project titled “ Tree of Peace Program” which seeks to replenish the large number of Palestinian olive trees uprooted and destroyed by the Israeli occupation army and settlers.

The olive tree is an ancient symbol of peace which, for Palestinians, also symbolises their connection to their land.

As one olive tree produces on average 9 kg of olives, or 2 litres of oil, and can grow in poor soil, it is a vital source of food and income too. So the destruction of huge numbers of olive trees is not only an affront to Palestinians’ culture and identity – it has been economically disastrous.

over 1 million Palestinian trees – over 450,000 of them olive trees – have been uprooted by the Israeli Army. Many of them were destroyed as punitive measures against families and communities. Others have been uprooted for the expansion of settlements, or the building of the separation wall.

The OSMTH Magistral Grand Priory of the Holy Lands ( www.ordotempli.org )have partnered with the Free Catholic Church of Europe and its Church Communion members to take action to replant olive trees where they have been uprooted and destroyed, or in areas where the fields are threatened by land confiscation by the Israeli occupation army or settlers.

For the amount of UKP £20 anyone can Sponsor an Olive Tree. Sponsorship covers the cost of the young plant, distribution, planting and information for the farmers on the best techniques for olive tree care and production improvement. The cost also covers an official certificate, a sponsor label to be inscribed with the sponsor's name and put up in the field where his/her tree is planted and miscellaneous implementation costs of the project. Three-year old, solid, young plants are used in order to optimize survival potential.
Every sponsor will receive a certificate and an indication of the location of their tree.

Archbishop Gary Beaver is asking for people of all faiths to support in helping us KEEP HOPE ALIVE within Palestinian communities throughout the West Bank and that public participation in this campaign will be the first step in an ongoing partnership and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

You can Email admin@ordotempli.org to obtain details on how to sponsor and olive tree.