<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[International activists harvest on Gaza&nbsp;border]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p><img src='https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/127254_345x230.jpg' alt='' /></p>
<p>April 25, 2011</p>
<p>GAZA CITY (Ma&#8217;an) &#8212; Just a kilometer from the &#8216;security fence&#8217; separating Israel and Gaza, international solidarity activists and Palestinian volunteers on Monday began a wheat and barley harvest on behalf of landowners who fear Israeli artillery and gunfire in the no-go zone.</p>
<p>Several Palestinian farmers have been killed and injured in the area as they tended their land or collected crops. The Israeli army imposes a no-go zone inside the Gaza Strip border areas, citing security concerns.</p>
<p>Ma&#8217;an correspondent Ayman Abu Shanab joined the volunteers putting their lives in danger near Beit Hanoun, at the Strip&#8217;s northern edge. International solidarity activists insist on remaining in Gaza and continuing their activities despite the dangers to them, especially following the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni in April, he noted.</p>
<p>Beit Hanoun Popular Initiative coordinator Sabir Za&#8217;nin told Ma&#8217;an, &#8220;Since 2008, international sympathizers have been helping farmers and encouraging them to access their fields despite Israeli attempts to stop them at gun point.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;This year, we have launched a campaign to harvest crops, which we have named after slain Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni, as a sign of loyalty to the man who was brutally murdered weeks ago,&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>Arrigoni, he noted, was a significant participant in solidarity activities in the dangerous areas near Gaza&#8217;s borders.</p>
<p>An American volunteer told Ma&#8217;an, &#8220;I came here to bring attention to this area, which many people in the world know little about. I am here to help farmers harvest their wheat and barley, and we do not fear Israeli fire.&#8221;</p>
<p>Arrigoni&#8217;s murder, he said, was carried out by a group of criminals who do not represent the Palestinian people.</p>
<p>Access restrictions in the border area harm dwindling agricultural production in the blockaded Gaza Strip, aid organizations say.</p>
<p>In Oxfam&#8217;s latest report, the international organization said &#8220;In practice, Israel restricts access to agricultural land up to 1,000-1,500 metres from the fence, which accounts for more than 30% of Gaza&#8217;s agricultural land and a significant number of water wells. Most of the Gaza Strip&#8217;s animal production is also concentrated in this area.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382104">Source</a></p>
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