Combatants for Peace activists acted as human shields to uphold the rights of Palestinian communities. We defend the shepherding communities, walking with Bedouin families everyday, across the Jordan Valley. When our activists walk with the shepherds we protect them from soldier and settler violence. We participated in the olive harvest, protecting communities from the violence they face when they harvest olives on their own lands. We have planted dozens of olive trees, built water canals for communities without access to running water, and defended communities’ rights to their homes, land and water. We have been active in communities across ‘Area C’ responding to increasing intimidation, settler violence and threats of land grabs.

On November 4th, the Palestinian shepherding community of Khirbat Humsa A-Fuka was razed to the ground by Israeli occupation forces, leaving 73 people homeless, including 41 children. In one of the biggest demolition operations in over a decade, the army destroyed agricultural buildings, solar panels, water reserves, and shelter the community and their livestock relied on. Combatants for Peace responded quickly, and joined in the community efforts to build temporary shelters, and provided food and clothing to families left with nothing.From home and school demolitions to olive tree desecrations, our activists have provided protection, shelter and essential supplies. We act as a barrier to violent and oppressive occupation forces. We are working with communities who fall under the mainstream radar, and preserve a traditional way of life that no bulldozer should ever be allowed to destroy.