Palestinian olive oil at Easter

As a way of showing solidarity with Palestinians, for many years, some dioceses in the UK have been using Palestinian olive oil for the Chrism Service in Holy Week and for Sacramental Anointing in all their parishes.

Olive trees are the most important cultivated tree crop for Palestinian farmers and nearly all production comes from small terraced fields and old trees of local varieties. Summers are hot and dry, rainfall low, water resources scarce and irrigation impossible.

Farmers have few resources to prune or fertilise trees so cropping has developed a biennial pattern which creates further economic burdens.

The use of Palestinian olive oil from the Holy Land, blessed in the Chrism Service and distributed to all parishes for Sacramental Anointing, is a huge act of symbolism and of solidarity for our Christian Sisters and Brothers who live in fear, under occupation and suffer the atrocities of violence, demolitions, forced removal and imprisonment without trial. The denial of freedom of movement means that it is often impossible for them to access their olive trees, which have been in their families for generations. During the last harvest the situation was even worse than usual, not only were families denied access to their tress but they were subjected to extreme violence from Israeli settlers and their crops were stolen.

It is hoped that as well as using the oil from the Holy Land that Dioceses will ensure that Clergy and Parishioners are aware of this significant symbolism.

Zaytoun is a small UK Not for Profit Company established to purchase and import olive oil from Palestinian farmers at Fair Trade prices. The cooperative now supports thousands of farmers and family members, through its sales of olive oil and other products. Details of the company and of the farmers it supports can be found on their website.

Due to the terrible situation during the harvest, the oil is in short supply this year so needs to be ordered very quickly in time for Holy Week.

It can be ordered directly from Zaytoun: www.zaytoun.org