Up and atta ‘em, early. We took the circle road around Bethlehem to the site of today’s olive picking just outside of Efrata Settlement. The road to the farm was cut off by barriers, so the bus let us off about a half a mile away from the grove. We walked the whole way, carrying tarps, buckets, and ladders. As we started our walk up the slope to the grove, we were followed by a jeep with IDF soldiers. They must have been called by one of the neighbors, and came to talk to the farmer and our tour leader. They demanded the farmer’s identification papers, questioning the reason for internationals on his property. Eventually the soldiers left, leaving us to our work, but not before citing our bus driver and detaining for 3 hours.
1 comment:
Cheers for the magnificent Seven and their European compatriots. And I see that you're being well protected, what with the IDF's Uzi weapons at the ready. Never can tell when a terrorist may show up … perhaps in the guise of a 'settler'.
Fascinating that method of picking. How high up the tree must you go? And what of the olives you pick? Can you watch the processing from there on? Some for the oil, some for food, seeds for fuel?
Blessings, Dick
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