Al-Walaja's "Loss" (And The "Oldest" Olive Tree)

From Harriet Sherwood's latest in The Guardian:

According to the UNRWA, the United Nations body that deals with Palestinian refugees, around 70% of Al Walaja's land was lost in the 1948 war. Then, following the six-day war in 1967, nearly half the remaining land was annexed by Israel and placed under the expanded Jerusalem borders. In the 1970s more land was confiscated for Jewish settlements. Now even more land is being taken to construct the barrier.

That first land "loss". To whom did the land go?

If Israel, well, that's what happens when you launch an aggressive war in defiance of the UN and lose.

If Jordan, well, that's Arabs for you.

If neither, who has it?

But kudos to her for including this "peaceful" remark by an Arab landowner:

Bargouth hopes there will be more, despite the stiff military presence containing demonstrators. But, he believes, non-violent protest may not be enough to save his and others' land. "The occupation must be resisted by all methods, from demonstrations to the gun," he says.

And here's a nice bubbeh maiseh -

Al Walaja has another historical claim...behind a padlocked gate stands what is thought to be the world's oldest olive tree. Dated variously at 5,000 and 7,000 years old...for two years he has watered the tree by hand and has been rewarded by the appearance of new branches. "It has a promising future," he says.

The olive branch is an international symbol of peace.

Oldest?

Well,

a) Many people claim that the oldest olive tree, 5,000 years old, is in Pano Vouves, in Kolymvari, Chania. The average life expectancy of an olive tree is 300-600 years.

b) This wonderful tree has been certified as more than 2000 years of age. It is on a tourist development, Pedras del Rei near Tavira and while there are many other old olive trees in the area, this is the most spectacular.


c) The oldest olive tree is 5,000 years old in Kolymvari, Chania.

d) The northern villages of Amioun and Bshaale are home to some of the oldest olive trees in the world, many of which date back at least 1,500 years.

e) An Olive tree in Bar, Montenegro and another one in Crete is claimed to be over 2000 years old. Two olive trees in the Arab town of Arraba and five trees in Deir Hanna, both in the Galilee region of Israel, have been determined to be over 3000 years old. All seven trees are still producing olives until today. Another olive tree found in Sardinia, Italy is claimed to be aged between 3000 to 4000 years old as concluded by various studies.

Guess it's tough claiming you are the "oldest" and tough for a journalist to spend a quarter of an hour googling.

What's bubba maiseh in Arabic?

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