Settlers attack shepherds in Southern Hebron Hills

On 8 June ‘08, two settlers tried unsuccessfully to drive shepherds off Palestinian land near Khirbet Susiya. After they left, the shepherds called relatives for reinforcement, fearing an attack. Among those who came was Muna a-Nawaj’ah, with a video camera she received from B’Tselem. Ten minutes later, she filmed four masked men armed with clubs approaching the family and attacking one of the shepherds. They then severely beat other members of the family.

In January 2007, B’Tselem launched “Shooting Back”, a video advocacy project focusing on the Occupied Territories. We provide Palestinians living in high-conflict areas with video cameras, with the goal of bringing the reality of their lives under occupation to the attention of the Israeli and international public, exposing and seeking redress for violations of human rights.

summer fruits campaign…

Agrexco are a 50% state owned Israeli company who export fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from Israel and the occupied territories. Agrexco are one of the three biggest Israeli companies exporting from occupied Palestine and account for 70% of exports of fresh produce from the occupied territories. Agrexco operate under the Carmel, Jaffa and Coral brand names. Their products are bought by all major British supermarkets as well as small stores. Britain is an important market for Agrexco accounting for 60% of their imports to Europe.

It is likely that Agrexco often mislabel their settlement produce as made in Israel when it is in fact made on occupied Palestinian land. Thousands of Palestinians are employed in packing houses on Israeli settlements packing goods to be exported by Carmel Agrexco. These packing houses are often on land which has been forcibly taken from their communities Palestinian workers may be paid as little as 30 shekels (4 pounds) a day and have no sick pay, holiday pay, rights to unionise or contracts. Children are often employed on these settlements.

These workers are compelled to work for the settlements because of the complete strangulation of Palestinian agriculture by the Israeli occupation. Many settlement workers have called on the international community to boycott and campaign against Carmel Agrexco.

During the Summer Carmel Agrexco import large quantities of oranges, lemons, Galia melons, grapefruit, grapes and strawberries into the UK as well as luxury products like dragonfruit. Cherry tomatoes and peppers are also imported in large quantities during July and August. Here are some ideas of what you could do: