Who Are We?

Since 2006 we have been working with Jordan Valley Solidarity - a network of Palestinian grassroots community groups from all over the Jordan Valley. Jordan Valley Solidarity aims to protect Palestinian existence and the unique environment of the Jordan Valley by building international support and supporting communities on the ground. This includes monitoring, recording and aiming to prevent the abuse of Palestinian human rights by the Israeli occupation and settlers.
Delegations:
We have always worked very closely with our friends in the Jordan Valley in Palestine, and plan all our activities in conjunction with them. This includes:
Regular delegations to and from Palestine to inform and inspire action
Information:
Using articles, photos and videos to record Palestinian accounts of Israel’s actions in the Jordan Valley and local community resistance
Twinning:
Connecting local organisations and supporting the twinning of Al Quds Open University in Tubas with University of Sussex Students Union
Challenging the occupation:
Solidarity with projects of resistance that challenge Israel’s right to control Palestinian communities and assert Palestinian rights to self determination, e.g. fundraising and campaigning for the building of Fasayil School, and running water pipes to Bedouin communities.
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions:
Supporting the Palestinian Civil Society Call by collecting and sharing information about settlements in the Jordan Valley, and supporting campaigns in the UK.

Why the Jordan Valley?

When Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 it produced the Allon Plan as the blueprint of intended annexation of Gaza, Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley.
Without delay it unilaterally annexed 70.5 km2 of land around Jerusalem and subsequently integrated it into “Jerusalem municipality”. In the intervening 40 plus years, Israel has surrounded Jerusalem with huge settlements, in direct contra-vention of international law, and the building is still continuing today. If left unchallenged the settlements will eventually cover a vast area stretching right across to Jericho in the Jordan Valley, with Palestinians being wiped off their land in the process.
During the same period Israel has taken control of 95% of the land and 98% of the water resources in the Jordan Valley. It has not yet ‘officially’ annexed the Jordan Valley but the intention to do so is clear.
Illegal Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley are continuing to take more and more Palestinian land, supported by the Israeli Military Civil Administration.
At the same time there is a growing Palestinian movement to challenge Israel through direct action,  and developing local infrastructure. This is inspiring a network of international organisations to work in solidarity with them. We are just one small part of that network.