[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Terrorists have been planting bombs on the border
and other activities under the cover of agricultural activity. If there was
no terror activity on the border there would be no problem with agricultural
activity in the area]

International activists harvest on Gaza border
Published today (updated) 25/04/2011 21:34
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=382104

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Just a kilometer from the 'security fence' 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.

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.

Ma'an correspondent Ayman Abu Shanab joined the volunteers putting their
lives in danger near Beit Hanoun, at the Strip'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.

Beit Hanoun Popular Initiative coordinator Sabir Za'nin told Ma'an, "Since
2008, international sympathizers have been helping farmers and encouraging
them to access their fields despite Israeli attempts to stop them at gun
point."

"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," he added.

Arrigoni, he noted, was a significant participant in solidarity activities
in the dangerous areas near Gaza's borders.

An American volunteer told Ma'an, "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."

Arrigoni's murder, he said, was carried out by a group of criminals who do
not represent the Palestinian people.

Access restrictions in the border area harm dwindling agricultural
production in the blockaded Gaza Strip, aid organizations say.

In Oxfam's latest report, the international organization said "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's agricultural land and
a significant number of water wells. Most of the Gaza Strip's animal
production is also concentrated in this area."