Quarterly Report: Olive Oil Without Borders - Palestinian-Israeli Olive Oil Project

The project targets six clusters of villages in Israel and the West Bank, where olive farming is a cornerstone of local rural economies. By working directly with at least 1428 olive producers, 12 mill operators, and 12 olive oil distributors, the project seeks to promote cross-border economic cooperation and peace between Israelis and Palestinians. During the quarter from October 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012, the project made significant progress against its objectives. Key achievements include the participation of 30 Palestinian women in a rare cross-border site visit to two kibbutzim and a joint Israeli and Arab-Israeli NGO. Additionally, 336 farmers received farming equipment packages to improve olive harvesting techniques, and 13 lead farmers participated in a follow-up Training of Trainers site visit to network with Israeli olive farmers and traders. The project also facilitated cross-border activities, such as the Annual Israeli Olive Oil Festival, where 35 farmers attended to learn about olive oil quality. Planning started for the creation of an olive variety station in the West Bank in cooperation with Palestine Technical University. US Government officials, including the US Ambassador and USAID Mission Director, visited OOWB project sites in Israel and the West Bank, recognizing the contribution of the project and its participants. As a result of OOWB efforts, Israeli Olive Oil Council and Palestinian Olive Oil Council officials met to discuss olive and olive oil joint policies for the first time in four years. The Councils will continue to meet to discuss joint policy opportunities. The project's impact on cross-border collaboration around olive and olive oil production is becoming evident, and its activities and achievements demonstrate its effectiveness in promoting peace and economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. The project's focus on building relationships of trust, mutual understanding, and collaboration through economic cooperation is critical to promoting peace and stability in the region. By working directly with local stakeholders and promoting cross-border economic cooperation, the project aims to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians. The project's achievements and activities demonstrate its commitment to this goal, and its impact is likely to be felt for years to come. The project's success is also reflected in the participation of local stakeholders, including farmers, mill operators, and olive oil distributors. The project's activities and achievements have created opportunities for these stakeholders to engage in cross-border economic cooperation, promoting peace and stability in the region. The project's focus on building relationships of trust, mutual understanding, and collaboration through economic cooperation is critical to promoting peace and stability in the region, and its achievements and activities demonstrate its effectiveness in achieving this goal.