Justice for Shepherds in the Jordan Valley
Last week, we launched CfP’s “Solidarity in Action” campaign to support their vital work on the ground. Today, we highlight Initiative 2: Justice for Shepherds in the Jordan Valley. In the hills of the northern Jordan Valley, there are communities of Palestinian shepherds whose lives are woven into the fabric of the land. Their parents and grandparents were born in the lands they tend, and their presence is a testament to their perseverance. Since October 7th, however, their way of life has come under severe and increasing threat.
I spoke with Yair Bunzel, one of many Israeli CfP activists who travel weekly to the Jordan Valley to provide a protective presence in solidarity with Palestinian shepherds. Yair shared,
“Since October 7, the pattern of violence has changed significantly. Previously, attacks from settlers occurred in waves with lulls in between. Now, the assaults are constant, often happening multiple times a day. The settlers’ aggression is unabashed. It takes only a few settlers to terrorize an entire community and force them off their land…The image I share below captures this reality. The community has faced daily assaults from settlers coming from outposts situated above them. Earlier this week, while peacefully herding, they endured a horrific settler attack which included the arbitrary detention of a Palestinian and no action taken against the violent settlers. Yesterday, as pictured below, the community made the painful decision to dismantle their shelters for livestock as they now prepare to leave their land.”
Itamar Feigenbaum, another dedicated CfP activist, warns that we are witnessing a slow but accelerating ethnic cleansing in Area C of the Jordan Valley which is the vital agricultural heart of the West Bank. Just ten days ago, another Palestinian community of around 100 people was forced from their land, compelled to sell their livestock and relocate to Areas A and B where they will be stripped of their traditional way of life. This coordinated effort aims to clear Area C of Palestinians, which would make it impossible for a viable Palestinian state to one day exist.
Yet hope is possible through increased collective action. In response to this escalating crisis, CfP is expanding their efforts through Initiative 2 of the Solidarity in Action campaign. Initiative 2 includes two strategic responses.
Response 1: VIRTUAL PROTECTIVE PRESENCE
CfP Israeli activists regularly accompany Palestinian shepherds during grazing to provide a protective presence and document human rights violations. Now, in partnership with the Jordan Valley Activists, we are enhancing this effort with a constant “virtual protective presence” system that includes cameras, cellular internet routers, annual web subscriptions, and cloud storage for real-time surveillance. This technology will enable shepherds to monitor and document incidents as they happen, improving their safety and providing crucial evidence for legal recourse. As AFCFP advocates for expanded US sanctions on violent settlers, these videos will be instrumental.
Response 2: WATER ACCESS
Palestinians in Area C face a severe water crisis due to Israeli control over water resources. These Palestinian communities are deemed illegal under Israeli law, leaving shepherds disconnected from the main water system. Unjust restrictions lead to chronic shortages, while Israeli settlements receive ample supplies.
In partnership with Jordan Valley Activists, CfP is confronting this crisis head-on by improving Palestinian shepherds’ access to water. Shepherds rely on century-old cisterns from which they haul rainwater with trucks–a costly and labor-intensive process. With your support, CfP will build portable cistern water pumps and maintenance kits, reducing excessive labor and making rainwater harvesting more efficient. These efforts address immediate needs and help preserve the cultural and historical significance of Palestinians’ water systems.
When speaking with Yair, he emphasized the profound connection formed through this work: “It is the personal contact with the Palestinians, the shepherds, that motivates me. It takes time to build relationships and trust because they have experienced many empty promises from those who come and go. But once they welcome you and you get to know their daily life, it’s impossible to go back home and just read the news.”
Itamar Feigenbaum added, “These are peace-seeking people, living off the land where their fathers and grandfathers were born. Despite the blows they face, they are focused on providing education and a better future for their children. The hardship they endure is an attack on their honorable and traditional way of life. They live in one of the harshest environments, and their struggle is not just for survival, but for preserving a way of life for future generations.”
Your solidarity is crucial to ensure that Palestinian shepherds can continue to live on and preserve their lands and cultures. Thank you for your support.