Union of Agricultural Work Committees

The Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986 to improve the performance and professionalism of Palestinian farmers during the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The Union also aims to help Palestinian farmers market their produce and provides agricultural employment opportunities through a framework of cooperation with domestic, Arab, and international agricultural development institutions.[1]

The UAWC was established in Jerusalem; and founded by a group of volunteer agronomists and development workers "loosely affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)",[2] it is one of the oldest non-governmental Palestinian organizations.[3] In the year 1993, UAWC developed its organizational structure, consisting of a general assembly, board of trustees, general director, and two executive directors; in the West Bank and in Gaza Strip.[4]

UAWC initially focused on forming Agricultural Cooperatives and Committees in the different Palestinian rural areas of the West Bank and Gaza.[5]

UAWC supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.[6]

Funding

UAWC receives funding from numerous western governments and aid organisations including the European Commission, World Vision Australia, AusAID, and FAO. UAWC is in partnership with many international and local organizations like Action Against Hunger, Oxfam, NARC and LRC.

In February 2012, World Vision Australia (WV) and AusAid were accused of having provided "financial aid to a Gaza-based terrorist group," the (UAWC), which Shurat HaDin (The Israel Law Center) alleged is a "front for terror group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine." WV "suspended its dealings" with UAWC until the outcome of an investigation of the matter.[7][8]

WV resumed working with UAWC after AusAID and World Vision found the allegations were unfounded. According to The Australian newspaper, 'AusAID has written to Shurat HaDin to confirm that a detailed investigation has been conducted into the claims and no evidence has been found to substantiate them'.[9] However, the Jerusalem Post says that they conducted an independent investigation which "revealed that the PLFP’s Arabic language website includes detailed reports on the UAWC’s work."[10]

Affiliate of PFLP

U.S. government aid agency, USAID, identifies in May 1993 the UAWC as the agricultural arm of the PFLP.[11]

Professor Glenn E. Robinson writes in 1997 that agronomists linked to the PFLP established the UAWC.[12]

Researcher Caroline Abu-Sada of FAO and Médecins sans frontières and who coordinated programs in the Middle East for Oxfam GB[13] confirms that UAWC is affiliated to the PFLP.[14] [15]

According to Shurat HaDin of Israel Law Center, both unions, (UAWC) and the Union of Health Workers Committees (UHWC) are closely affiliated with the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an Arab nationalist organization responsible for numerous acts of terrorism dating back to the 1960s and a group that has long been regarded as a terrorist organization by the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, European Union, and Israel. Shurat Hadin confirms that both groups receive money from Oxfam.[16]

Oxfam Wereldwinkels Belgium has close ties since 2002 with the PFLP affiliate and met them at several occasions. They promote and sell their products to the Belgian market.[17][18]

Awards and honours

  • UAWC won the Food Sovereignty Prize in October 2014[19] which is awarded by the US Food Sovereignty Alliance, an American NGO established to mobilize and educate US and international activists on the "food crisis".
  • In November 2014, the UAWC won the Equator Prize for its role in sustainable development and fight against poverty through its Seed Bank project initiative.[20] The award was given by the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP) in New York.

Bibliography

  • Robinson, Glenn E. (1997). Building a Palestinian state: the incomplete revolution. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253210821.

References

  1. ↑ Goals
  2. ↑ Building a Palestinian state: the incomplete revolution; Robinson, 1997, p. 54.
  3. ↑ Amira Hass (January 22, 2009). "Palestinian farmers are being treated like criminals". Haaretz. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  4. ↑ http://www.uawc-pal.org/
  5. ↑ and Resistance.php Establishment and Resistance
  6. ↑ Palestinian civil society applauds UK Co-operative movement decision to end trade with companies involved with Israeli violations of international law
  7. ↑ Australian groups accused of aiding PFLP-linked group
  8. ↑ World Vision to investigate terror link
  9. ↑ "Vision back as AusAID dismisses 'terror' link". The Australian. March 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ Australian NGO resumes support of Gaza group
  11. ↑ "PALESTINIAN INSTITUTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA UNDER FOUR AUTONOMY SCENARIOS, May 1993, p. 11 & p. 17" (PDF).
  12. ↑ ""Building a Palestinian State: The Incomplete Revolution" by Glenn E. Robinson, Indiana University Press, 1997. p. 54".
  13. ↑ "Resumé of Caroline Abu Sada".
  14. ↑ "Palestine : insécurité alimentaire, sous-produit de l'occupation, CETRI dec. 12, 2008".
  15. ↑ "ONG palestiniennes et construction étatique: L'expérience de Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) dans les Territoires occupés palestiniens, 1983-2005, Presses de l'Ifpo, 13 févr. 2013 page 167, 180".
  16. ↑ "Oxfam accusé de financer le terrorisme".
  17. ↑ "Oxfam Belgium ties to UAWC".
  18. ↑ "Coordination visit Els Keytsman of Oxfam Belgium to UAWC".
  19. ↑ http://foodsovereigntyprize.org/the-honorees/
  20. ↑ http://www.equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=818&Itemid=1031&lang=en#union-of-agricultural-work-committees-–-palestine
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