Dry Lands, Deep Courage: Co-Resisting Water Apartheid in the Jordan Valley

Water scarcity in the West Bank has long been a central issue, but for many Palestinian farming families, the challenge is not just access—it is survival. Farmers in areas such as Bardala in the northern Jordan Valley report that their irrigation systems are often vandalized, their water tanks destroyed, and their crops trampled. Daily struggles include making multiple trips through checkpoints to secure water, often spending entire days just to bring it home.

At a recent gathering, one farmer described the risks of tending his fields under threat of violence, while another, Muhamed, shared that each morning he says farewell to his family as though it could be the last time. Activists from Combatants for Peace (CfP), both Palestinian and Israeli, have been present in these communities, standing alongside farmers to help ensure they are not left alone.

CfP’s commitment extends beyond protection. On August 15, students from CfP’s Palestinian Freedom School delivered two water tanks to families in Al-Walajeh, supporting their resilience against water shortages. Yet, even CfP’s own Palestinian organizers face similar deprivation, with some homes receiving little or no water despite scheduled supply days.

To spotlight these realities and the ongoing grassroots resistance, CfP will host an online seminar:

Dry Lands, Deep Courage: Co-Resisting Water Apartheid in the Jordan Valley
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
1:00–2:15 PM ET

Participants will hear directly from CfP activists about their work with Palestinian farming communities and the broader campaign for water justice.

Register here to attend the event and learn more about the intersection of daily survival, solidarity, and resistance.