Death in the olive groves

摘要

Few Palestinian towns are as tranquil and prosperous as Turmusaya. Red-roofed homes dot the valley and palm trees line the road leading to it, like a resort in Florida, where many of its people now live. With the nearest Jewish settlement hidden beyond the brow of surrounding hills, it almost seems possible to forget the Israeli occupation. The calm rarely lasts long. On Decem-ber 10th Israeli soldiers broke up a Palestinian attempt to plant olive trees on land they claim as theirs. In the scuffling and tear-gassing, Ziad Abu Ein, one of the more visible Palestinian officials, collapsed and died. Unlike colleagues who prefer the comfort of government corridors, Mr Abu Ein, a former minister dealing with settlement issues, was often at protests.