Even a seedbank isn’t safe from Israel because it’s Palestinian
JVL Introduction
Since the Trump inspired fake ceasefire in Gaza the Israeli government and military have been unrelenting in the continued genocide of Palestinians, taking life and destroying the conditions for the flourishing of life. This article by GM freeze, (“for a responsible, fair & sustainable food system”) reports on the raid on the Palestinian Local Seed Banks in Ramallah and Hebron, the removal of documents and computers, and the humiliation and abduction of staff. The seed banks serve to develop and preserve locally resilient seeds better adapted to climate change and water shortages, reducing dependence on pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and on corporations producing genetically modified (GM) seeds requiring annual purchase.
The Ramallah raid was televised to provide entertainment for Israelis while workers were brutalised and bullets fired and tear gas released in surrounding streets.
The seed banks are supported by La Via Campesina, a transnational social movement of small-scale farmers who call for international solidarity from farmworkers’ organisations and pressure on politicians around the world. They urge us to raise this heinous act (one among far too many others) with our elected representatives. Nothing, it would seem, is sacred to the Israeli forces if it prevents domination over Palestinians.
TB
This article was originally published by GM Freeze on Thu 4 Dec 2025. Read the original here.
Israeli military raids Palestinian seed bank
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This vile Israeli action was part of the genocide of the indigenous people.
The Ramallah raid is really stupid as well as vile, even from a purely Israeli perspective. Israelis just as well as Palestinians might have benefitted from that Palestinian seedbank and also from Palestinians farmers’ profound knowledge of how to farm a difficult terrain productively without degrading it further.
Israelis’ mis-management of land, water and agriculture over many decades has left the entire region increasingly damaged and short of water. They’ve recklessly destroyed many mature olive trees which previously gave much-needed shade, protected the soil and thrived on less water than the non-indigenous trees the new settlers favoured.
Climate change is on its way for everyone. It’ll hit the already over-heated, dry zones even faster and worse than it’ll hit us. Israel and Palestine will become too hot to live in at times (especially in the cities) and drive more and more demand for water. Can any state survive – practically and economically – if it’s largely reliant on water desalination for potable water and enough water for hygiene, commerce and agriculture?
Thank you for pointing out the entertainment value for Israelis. I have seen lots of footage of some Israelis cruel gloating over live killing and fire on Palestinian people and property in the West Bank. The worst example of this being nasty, entitled teens laughing and taking selfies against a backdrop of GHD killing people queuing for food. Disgusting.