Under cover of darkness, Ta’ayush activists expose the stealing of more Palestinian land (UPDATE)

By Joseph Dana August 25, 2010 | Edit
Ta'ayush Activists in the South Hebron Hills
Ta'ayush Activists in the South Hebron Hills. Photo by Mairav Zonszein

Ta’ayush activists have uncovered information that the Southern West Bank settlement of Susya is illegal stealing Palestinian land to increase the production of their Carmel Wine. Last week, under cover of darkness, a group of Jerusalem activists went to explore the vineyards. What they found was that many settlers are in fact stealing land in order to produce wine. This is nothing new however it is important to keep pressure on the settler groups through the dissemination of video and press about their illegal actions. Below is a video of their journey from Jerusalem. While the video is not full of the same type of action as the Friday demonstration videos, it is amazing to see how much work Israel in the middle of the night. Most of the illegal settlement construction, the stealing of land and the creation of the Separation Wall happens in the darkness. What does this country have to hid?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_leDS5DyKyE[/youtube]

Carmel Wines has responded in an email to Ta’ayush activists:

Thank you for seeking clarification.

1. It is and was our policy that no grapes from over the green line/ West Bank, are used in Yatir or Carmel wines.
2. No grapes from over the green line will appear in Yatir or Carmel wines, now or in the future.
3. There is an internal investigation concerning this particular issue, but even before any conclusions, I can confirm the above two points still apply, now more than ever.

On a point of correction: Harvesting of grapes for wine often takes place at night. Also, Carmel produces 15 million bottles a year and does not seek to increase production.

Regards,
Adam Montefiore
אדם ס. מונטיפיורי

מנהל המחלקה המקצועית ליין
Adam S. Montefiore
Wine Development Director
Tel +972 3–9488806 טל
Mobile +972 54–6458851 נייד
Fax +972 3–9663129 פקס
adam@carmelwines.co.i

Joseph Dana was a contributing writer on +972 Magazine from August 2010 to December 2011. This is an archive of his work.

<p>End of article module for Members</p>

TEST TEST GAL Our team has been devastated by the horrific events of this latest war. The world is reeling from Israel’s unprecedented onslaught on Gaza, inflicting mass devastation and death upon besieged Palestinians, as well as the atrocious attack and kidnappings by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Our hearts are with all the people and communities facing this violence.    We are in an extraordinarily dangerous era in Israel-Palestine. The bloodshed has reached extreme levels of brutality and threatens to engulf the entire region. Emboldened settlers in the West Bank, backed by the army, are seizing the opportunity to intensify their attacks on Palestinians. The most far-right government in Israel’s history is ramping up its policing of dissent, using the cover of war to silence Palestinian citizens and left-wing Jews who object to its policies.   This escalation has a very clear context, one that +972 has spent the past 14 years covering: Israeli society’s growing racism and militarism, entrenched occupation and apartheid, and a normalized siege on Gaza.   We are well positioned to cover this perilous moment – but we need your help to do it. This terrible period will challenge the humanity of all of those working for a better future in this land. Palestinians and Israelis are already organizing and strategizing to put up the fight of their lives.   Can we count on your support? +972 Magazine is a leading media voice of this movement, a desperately needed platform where Palestinian and Israeli journalists, activists, and thinkers can report on and analyze what is happening, guided by humanism, equality, and justice. Join us.

Make a Donation