In June 2009, Settlers from the illegal settlement, Bat Ayn, destroyed the farming land of the Saffa Valley (in the district of Hebron). By cutting down trees and setting fire to the valley, these settlers depredated the farmers’ fields, severely compromising their primary source of income.

Villagers of the Saffa regularly risk physical assault by the settlers, as Bat Ayn is an exponent of the "price tag," which avows revenge for every outpost that is demolished or inhibited by the Israeli military.

Despite the violent actions of the settlers, the Israeli military rarely prosecute the perpetrators. Rabbi Arik Ascherman, the Executive Director of Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel, attended Sunday’s event. He said "There’s a difference in different parts of the Occupied Territories to what degree the army does the bidding of the settlers. Here, we see very clearly, that the settlers will call up and ask the army to do whatever and they’ll usually do it without asking too many questions."

Since last year’s attack, farmers have encountered further obstacles from the Israeli military who on several occasions threatened to uproot newly planted trees, claiming the Saffa Valley had been declared "state land."

Bekah Wolfe, a co-founder of Palestine Solidarity Project, explained that the Israeli government and military can classify a plot of land as "state land" if under Ottoman rule the land was designated as either musha’a or waqf land. Musha’a land was land that was collectively owned and cared for; waqf land, also known as God’s land, was used for religious or communal purposes, such as mosques and schools. Because these types of land were not technically private, the state of Israel often assumes control of it.

However, the Israeli military has not succeeded in proving that this land is "state land," as farmers possess documentation dating back to 200 years ago, which proves their ownership.

Providing some context for why the Israeli military would suddenly declare land in between a settlement and a village "state land," Maria Lewis, a volunteer with PSP explained, "When land is declared state land it means [the settlers] want to annex it."

On Sunday, farmers and volunteers began by digging up and burning shrubbery with controlled fires. After about an hour, two Israeli soldiers arrived in a jeep. Responding to complaints from settlers about the smoke, the soldiers ordered the farmers to put out the fires. While the soldiers spoke to Mousa Abu Maria, a co-founder of PSP, and Rabbi Ascherman, the farmers continued to plough while the controlled flames remained.

According to a landmark ruling in 2006 in the Israeli High Courts, not only is the IDF prohibited from preventing Palestinians from working in their fields, but they are also required to assist and protect them in doing so. The IDF’s failure to prosecute settler violence, protect farmers from attacks, and facilitate their access to the land is in direct violation of this ruling.

According to Rabbi Ascherman, the 2006 ruling obligated the IDF to do four things: "There were four elements to this decision. One, that the Palestinians must be allowed to get to all their land; two, that the army and police protect them when they do so; three, to prevent destruction of trees and property; and four, to bring people to justice."

Yet despite this ruling, it appears to be up to groups like Rabbis for Human Rights and PSP to help the farmers insure that these laws are implemented in situations like this.

While Abu Maria and the Israeli soldiers deliberated, the farmers persisted in their day’s work and Rabbis for Human Rights contacted the army’s legal advisor. Rabbi Ascherman stated, "It’s [the farmers’] call to what degree they want to go along with soldiers or to take a stand. Legally, it’s on their land, they should be able to have a controlled fire."

By planting trees, these intrepid villagers assert their claim to the land in the face of both extreme settlers and military insistence that the land should belong to the state of Israel, "It’s harder for them to annex land that is in use and on which there is a constant presence—especially of internationals," said Lewis.

After less than an hour, the soldiers left, allowing the farmers to finish what they had come there to do.