At Holy Land Trust, we firmly believe in action against injustice and in the power of nonviolence as a transformative tool to resist the Israeli military occupation in the West Bank and address all forms of oppression. Our work focuses on empowering vulnerable communities in Area C, strengthening their resilience against policies designed to marginalize them. We believe that now, more than ever, action is needed to confront unjust practices that deny Palestinians basic rights, such as freedom of movement, access to water and electricity, and environmental justice.

The situation in Area C is marked by severe environmental damage caused by the Israeli occupation, including untreated wastewater contaminating Palestinian farms, water and air pollution, depletion of natural resources, and restricted access for Palestinians to their own land. These conditions not only harm the environment but also sever the deep connection between communities and their land.

Our project, “EcoAction for Justice,” sought to create a core group of activists dedicated to implementing environmentally sustainable projects that rectify injustices caused by the occupation. These initiatives were designed to address ecological harm while providing communities with basic needs such as water, electricity, and food. The politicization of these essential resources has been a source of anguish and frustration for Palestinians, as access to land and water is often manipulated for political purposes rather than for human well-being.

One of the project’s primary goals was to foster deep community development. This was achieved by facilitating processes in which communities could identify their needs, map their problems, and leverage their strengths to design sustainable solutions. Through Problem-Based Learning, participants created and implemented projects tailored to the capacities and priorities of their communities.

To achieve this, nine environmentally sustainable projects were successfully implemented, directly benefitting 500 Palestinians across two marginalized communities. These projects include:

1. Building a community center in Al-Awsaj village / Jordan Valley
2. Establishing a water delivery system in Jordan Valley
3. Renovating streets in the town of Jericho / Jordan Valley
4. Introducing composting bins in Jordan Valley
5. Developing a water system for agricultural use in South Hebron Hills
6. Restoring agricultural land in South Hebron Hills
7. Installing solar power systems in South Hebron Hills
8. Launching a water campaign project in South Hebron Hills

By addressing environmental injustices and providing sustainable solutions, “EcoAction for Justice” has empowered marginalized Palestinian communities to reclaim their rights and protect their connection to the land. This initiative demonstrates the power of collective action and innovative problem-solving in transforming the logic and effects of occupation into pathways for hope and resilience.