Season:
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2022-2023
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Governorate:
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Jerusalem
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Locality:
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Biddu
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Address:
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Al-Sahl
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Mohammad Abdel-Kareem Hmeidan, is a 32-year-old Palestinian farmer resident of Biddu, who works in the construction and agriculture industry. He possesses 2 dunums (0.5 acres) of agricultural land located near the Israeli apartheid wall with zero distance. According to Mohammad, olive trees and land hold significant cultural and spiritual value for Palestinians. Olive trees have been grown in Palestine for thousands of years and are referenced in religious texts like the Bible and the Quran. For many Palestinians, olive trees are a symbol of peace, hope, and resilience. Mohammad is grateful for the 50 olive trees' support and hopes to receive continued assistance in keeping his land secure.
Biddu is a town located in the Jerusalem governorate, northwest of Jerusalem. Its population was 6,129 people in the 2007 census conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The town covers an area of about 5363 dunums (1325 acres), including 2629 dunums (650 acres) of arable land and 685 dunums (170 acres) of residential land. However, the agricultural sector in Biddu faces various challenges, including restrictions on the master plan, lack of funds, limited pastures, gate closures, and farmers being denied access to their land. Additionally, the construction of the apartheid wall has had a severe impact on the town's agriculture. According to the 1995 accords, 24.8% of Biddu's land was classified as Area B, while the remaining 75.2% was classified as Area C. Israel has confiscated approximately 627 dunams (155 acres) of Biddu's land for the Israeli colony (settlement) of Har Adar (Giv'at HaRadar) and 186 dunams (46 acres) for Giv'on Ha'hadasha.
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