According to KnightsTemplar.TV: "The olive branch in Western culture, derived from the customs of Ancient Greece, symbolizes peace or victory and was worn by brides. The use of the olive as a symbol of peace dates at least to the fifth century BCE.
On a medal of the Emperor Augustus, Peace holds in one hand a branch of olive, and in the other a lighted torch with which she has just fired a pile of martial trophies, indicative of the extinction of war."
According to Wikipedia: "Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. The Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem is mentioned several times... The olive branch is a branch of an olive tree. In Western culture, derived from the customs of Ancient Greece, it symbolizes peace or goodwill. The original link between olive branches and peace is unknown. Some explanations center on that olive trees take a very long time to bear fruit. Thus the cultivation of olives is something that is generally impossible in time of war."
Click here for Wikipedia article about the olive branch. Click here for monuments using doves to symbolize peace (some with olive branches). Click here for "The Dove with the Olive Branch as a Symbol of Peace." Click here for a Web search of olive tree images.
Right click any image to enlarge.
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E |  Ancient - Olive Tree of Vouves, Vouves, Kolimbari district of Crete (Greece). Has been designated a Natural Monument. "One of seven olive trees (Olea europaea) in the Mediterranean believed to be at least 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Although its exact age cannot be verified, this might be the oldest among them, estimated at over 3,000 years old. It still produces olives, and they are highly prized. Olive trees are hardy and drought-, disease- and fire-resistant — part of the reason for their longevity and their widespread use in the region."
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E |  Ancient - Oldest Olive Tree in Bethlehem (al-Badawi), Al-Walaja, Bethlehem Governate (Occupied West Bank). /// From Wikipedia: "Al-Walaja is the site of al-Badawi, a 5,000 year old olive tree, claimed to be the oldest [olive tree] in the world... On April 29, 2010, a joint demonstration involving both [Jewish] settlers of the adjacent Gush Etzion settlement block & local Arab residents protested the construction of a long-delayed extension of Israel's network of security fences & walls around Jerusalem. The event was partially coordinated by the Kfar Etzion-based organization Eretz Shalom / Land of Peace dedicated to building contacts between Jewish settlers & West Bank natives."
/// Email from Dr. Mazin Qumsieh of the Palestinian Center for Raprochment Between People in Bethlehem: "We (5 Israelis & 2 Palestinians) were roughed up [July 26, 2011] by Israeli apartheid soldiers, then abducted, while filming the destruction of the land of
Al-Walaja. In my case, the [Israeli army] officer recognized me & came straight at me pushing me to the ground, kicking me, then asking his soldiers to take me away. Shireen [Al-Araj, a member of Walaja's Popular Committee Against the Wall] was taken later by the invading fascist soldiers. It hurts so much to see how slowly the old [olive] trees are being uprooted to build [an Israeli separation] wall on village land that will separate the villagers from their agricultural fields. In this case, trees & an agricultural road (built
with European funding) were being destroyed. The oldest tree
in the Bethlehem district, an olive tree that is perhaps 3-4,000 years old is
also in the path of the apartheid wall. [Early this morning] the Israeli soldiers working as
subcontractors for land thieves & racists also raided the Freedom Theater
in Jenin (founded by our friend & martyr Juliano Mer-Khamis [1958-2011]) & abducted
[two] of the workers there. We ask everyone to write to politicians, media & others to alert them of these persistent violations of basic human
rights. We must intensify pressure via boycotts, divestments & sanctions [BDS]." ///
Top image courtesy of Mazin Qumsieh.
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 Ancient - Olive trees, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem (Palestine/Israel). Where, according to Biblical texts, Jesus & his disciples are said to have prayed the night before his crucifixion. Trees are said to be over 2000 years old. Next to Church of all Nations (right image).
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|  Ancient - Olive Tree, Istria (Croatia). "There are 3 olive trees that have over 2000 years in the World and this one from the Brioni Islands is not the oldest one but is among the very old one. It is for sure the oldest olive tree in Istria and as olive tree is a symbol of peace. For its years could be also a symbol of visdom [sic]. /// Tito died in 1980 and on his funeral there were: Head of States, Kings, Princesses, Head of the Governments, Foreign Ministers representing 127 World’s countries. At the time in the United Nations there were 154 countries represented. In terms of World’s population, about 90% of the World was represented on his funeral and 82% in terms of the number of existing States at the time in the World. There is a say that people are invited for a wedding but on a funeral they come on their own. The funeral can usually tell you about the respect person that passed away enjoyed during his life."
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E | Ancient -
Olive Tree named "Mahaseem," Bil'in, West Bank (Occupied Palestine). Believed to be 1,000 years old. On road between Palestinian village & Israeli apartheid fence which Bil'in residents protest every Friday (sometimes accompanied by "internationals"). Left image shows the tree & the tree's owner Radwan Yasen (some of whose olive trees have been destroyed by Israel). Right image shows Israeli troops through the fence. Both photos taken June 18, 2011. Click here for AP story dated June 27, 2011, about partial removal of the fence at Bil'in (as published in the Boston Globe).
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|  About 500 AD - BINCENTIA IN PACE, San Sebastiano Catacomb, Rome (Italy). Inscription (not shown in image) flanked by the Chi-Rho symbol, basket (indicating good works), and dove with olive branch (from Genesis 8:11).
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| About 500 AD - Grabplatte der Irene mit der Taube, San Callisto Catacomb, Rome (Italy). Depicts dove of peace bringing an olive branch to a child.
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17th Century - Poets associate the olive with peace. A Charles I gold coin of 1644 shows the monarch with sword & olive branch.
18th Century - Throughout the 18th century, English coins show Brittania with a spear & olive branch.
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G |  1708-1716 - "Peace and Liberty Triumphing Over Tyranny," "The Painted Hall," Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich (England). Allegorical painting by James Thornhill [1675-1734], in which William & Mary accept an olive branch from Peace. /// "In the central oval, the painting shows Peace & Liberty triumphing over Tyranny. Enthroned in heaven with the Virtues behind them, are William & Mary. Above them is the Sun god Apollo shedding his golden light, while Peace with her doves & lambs surrounding her hands an olive branch to William."
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  1771 - North Carolina (USA). A £2 note of North Carolina is decorated with a dove carrying an olive branch above the Latin motto Pax Reddita (Peace Restored).
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R | January 1775 - Engraving, London Magazine, London (England). Frontispiece shows the Goddess of Peace descending on a cloud from the Temple of Commerce & bringing an olive branch to America & Britannia. Text: "When fell Debate & civil Wars shall cease, Commerce shall spead her Sails o'er all the seas, ENGLAND unrivall'd in the liberal Arts, Shall bear her Genius to remostest Parts, Take to thy Breast AMERICA again. Thou may'st defy imperious FRANCE & SPAIN."
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July 1775 - American Continental Congress adopts the "Olive Branch Petition" in the hope of avoiding a full-blown war with Great Britain.
1778 - Georgia's $40 note of 1778 portrayed the dove and olive and a hand holding a dagger, with a motto meaning "Either war or peace, prepared for both." The olive branch appeared as a peace symbol in other 18th century prints.
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L | 1782 - Great Seal & Coat of Arms of the United States. "The supporter of the shield is a bald eagle with its wings outstretched (or 'displayed,' in heraldic terms). From the eagle's perspective, it holds a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon, (referring to the 13 original states), and an olive branch in its right talon, together symbolizing that the United States of America has 'a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war.' (See Olive Branch Petition of 1775). Although not specified by law, the olive branch is usually depicted with 13 leaves & 13 olives, again representing the 13 original states... Since 1935, both sides of the Great Seal have appeared on the reverse of the one-dollar bill. The Seal of the President is directly based on the Great Seal, and its elements are used in numerous government agency & state seals."
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S | Various Dates - Stained Glass. Depicts Noah's arc, dove & olive branch. Right image is from Canterbury Cathedral (England). Location of left image is unidentified. These are examples of many other artistic repesentations of Noah's olive branch throughout the world.
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L |  1845 - Seal of the State of Texas (USA). "Based on the seal of the Republic of Texas, which dates from January 25, 1839. Star of five points, encircled by olive & live oak branches... The official artwork, drawn by Juan Vega of Round Rock, Texas, was adopted in 1991."
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Y |  1846 - City of Olive Branch, Mississippi (USA. "In 1846, when a post office was established, the name was changed from Watson's Crossroads to Olive Branch. Mrs. Frances Wilson Blocker, a descendant of one the community's founders, suggested the name as a way to symbolize the biblical story of a dove bringing a branch to Noah. With the exception of a few skirmishes occurring in an area southwest of the community, Olive Branch escaped much of the destruction & violence during the Civil War."
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|  1877 "Peace and Vigilance," Old Post Office, North 8th Street at Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri (USA). By renowned artist Daniel Chester French [1850-1931]. Moved indoors in 1989. "Vigilance is on the ball. She is alert, scanning the horizon. Her posture is relaxed, but a sword is ready in her right hand. Peace, on the other hand, is harder to interpret. She holds an olive branch in her left hand (I don't know if the lefty olive has a meaning) but, frankly, she looks depressed rather than peaceful. Maybe her lover left, her dog died and, as the old Commander Cody song has it, she's down to seeds and stems again, too. The eagle shrieks over the whole scene. Vigilance might appreciate the scouting help, but how is Peace going to get any, well, peace with that screaming bird over her head? Maybe that's why she's depressed."
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E |  May 12, 1887 - Garfield Monument, Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC (USA). "James Garfield [1831-1881], the 20th president of the USA, was also a high ranking mason & taught ancient languages & literature at Hiram College. Garfield was assassinated in 1881, less than a year after taking office. One of the plaques [left image] on the base of the monument by John Quincy Adams Ward [1830-1910] is a bas relief of the earth, surrounded by [olive branches,] planets on orbital tracks & the signs of the zodiac.
The earth is tilted in such a way that the SE coast of Alaska is several degrees to the right of the top of the globe, but the horizon ring that crosses the earth is also tilted downward from left to right. Although neither the coastlines or meridians are particularly accurate, the horizon ring is perpendicular to the SE coast of Alaska, closely approximating the prehistoric alignment of world wonders as it crosses over the equatorial Atlantic coastline of South America & the northeastern coast of Africa near the Great Pyramid."
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E | April 9, 1901 - Equestrian monument, Logan Circle, Washington, DC (USA). By American artist Franklin Simmons [1839-1913]. Commissioned by the legislature of Illinois to honor general & state senator John A. Logan [1826-1886], the founder of Memorial Day. "The thing to note here is this symbolism found on the monument: Olive branch, sword, eagle hilt, solar disk & Greek key pattern."
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L |   1914 - Lady of Peace, Phillips Square, Montreal, Quebec (Canada). "Bears a branch of olive & sword at base of the monument to King Edward VII [1841-1910]." Edward "fostered good relations between the UK & other European countries, especially France, for which he was popularly called 'Peacemaker,' but his relationship with his nephew, Wilhelm II of Germany, was poor. Edward presciently suspected that Wilhelm would precipitate a war, and four years after Edward's death, World War I brought an end to the Edwardian way of life."
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|  1919 -
"Peace Commemoration Stamp," (Japan). "In Japan, the first stamps to carry a peace theme were issued in 1919 (the 8th year of the Taisho era). Doves and olive branches were featured in both of the designs issued to celebrate the end of World War I. We were impressed by the fact that these stamps were issued not to celebrate victory but the end of the war.
According to the Postal Museum in Tokyo, it was very rare for a dove to be used as a peace symbol at that time. Overseas, the only case of a "peace dove" in connection with World War I appears to be a stamp issued in the former Czechoslovakia in 1918."
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E |  1921 -
"Victory With Peace" Statue, Freedom Square, Bushwick, Myrtle & Willoughby Avenues, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York (USA). Square named in 1919. Monument depicts Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, leaning forward with an olive branch, the symbol of peace. Memorializes Brooklyn’s losses during World War I. Sculpted by Pietro Montana [1890-1978]. The face of Nike was modeled after Claudia Deloney, a
Hollywood actress and friend of film star Gloria Swanson [1899-1983].
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H | May 30, 1922 - Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC (USA). Intertwined Pine & Olive Branch Wreath Relief.
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|  April 1932 - Peace, Victory & Valor, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia (USA). "On the East face of the Tomb you will find three figures, carved into the marble. This is the face most visitors to the Tomb do not see. The three figures, from left to right, represent Peace, Victory and Valor. Peace (on the left) is holding a dove in her left hand, while holding the right hand of Victory. Valor (on the right) is holding a broken sword in his hands and is facing Victory. Victory (in the middle) is holding the hand of Peace and extending an olive branch towards Valor. This symbolized the devotion and sacrifice that went with courage to make the cause of righteousness triumphant."
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May 29, 1935 - Statute of "La Paix / Peace," "Garden of Normandie," Pinelawn Memorial Park (aka Long Island National Cemetery), Framingdale, Long Island, New York (USA). "Thirteen feet tall gilded statue of a toga-clad woman, one arm raised & offering an olive branch, by Louis Dejean [1872-1954]. [Originally] dominated the center of the [305-foot long] first class dining room of the French liner Normandie [1935-1942]" -- which sank in New York City during World War II. 
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 | December 7, 1946 - Flag of the United Nations. A white UN emblem (world map surrounded by two olive branches) on a light blue background. "The organizers of the 1945 United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, California, wanted an insignia that could be made into a pin to identify delegates. US Secretary of State Edward Stettinius, Jr., was chairperson of the US delegation & realized that a temporary design might become the permanent symbol of the United Nations. He formed a committee headed by Oliver Lundquist that developed a design consisting of a world map surrounded by leaves from a design created by Donal McLaughlin.
The blue colour that appears in the background of the insignia was chosen to be 'the opposite of red, the war colour,' generally taken to be Pantone 279, although the exact shade has never been officially specified by the United Nations. The globe is bisected in the centre by the Prime Meridian & the International Date Line.
The olive branches are a symbol for peace, & the world map represents all the people of the world. In 1946, a UNO committee got the task of making a definite design, which adopted by the plenary session of the UNO on December 7, 1946."
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 | January 1949 - Colombe à l'olivier" (aka Carré Picasso), Paris (France). En janvier 1949, un gigantesque Congrès de la Paix se tient à Paris organisé par le Parti Communiste qui demande à Pablo Picasso [1881-1973] de dessiner une affiche symbolisant le Mouvement de la Paix (MVP).
Picasso trace le profil d’une colombe, comme les pigeons blancs qu’il garde en cage dans son atelier et ceux des arbres de son enfance en Espagne. Au printemps de la même année, la colombe de Picasso est apposée sur les murs des villes d’Europe.
Le 19 avril 1949, une autre colombe apparaît dans la vie de Picasso -- sa fille Paloma ("colombe" en espagnol)."
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|  August 1955 - First International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva (Switzerland). Often called the Atoms for Peace conference. Left image shows Atoms For Peace symbol used by the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). It was was mounted over the door to the American swimming pool reactor building during the 1955 conference. Around a representation of an atom are symbolised four areas civil atomic energy: scientific research, medicine, industry & agriculture. Two olive branches symbolise peaceful use. Right image shows physicist Tom Cole who conceived the reactor and then helped construct it at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Additional conferences were held in 1958, 1964 & 1971.
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| 1962 - Allegory of Peace, Parc Richelieu, Rue Richelieu, Calais (France). "Behind the war memorial. Portrays an allegory of Peace with an olive tree branch pressed to her bosom. The duck pond and the layout of this lovely park attracts adults and chidren alike. 'I Held the Hand of Peace who Held the Olive Branch.'" ///
"Gravement endommagé par les bombardements sous l’Occupation, ce monument a été remplacé en 1962 par un nouveau mémorial, oeuvre d’Yves de Coëtlogon qui réunit le souvenir des disparus des deux guerres en un unique hommage.
Une allégorie de la Paix presse un rameau d’olivier sur son sein.
Aménagé à partir de 1862 sur l’emplacement des fortifications de la vieille ville, le jardin Richelieu a été redessiné en 1956."
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 | July 20, 1969 - Memorial Plaque, Apollo 11 mission to the moon. On the lunar module’s descent ladder. "The tablet reads: 'HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969 A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND.' They also left behind a memorial bag containing a gold replica of an olive branch as a traditional symbol of peace & a silicon message disk. The disk carries the goodwill statements by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson & Nixon & messages from leaders of 73 countries around the world."
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E | 1971? - Grave of Ralph Bunche, Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York City (USA). Ralph Bunche [1903-1971] was acting UN mediator on Palestine. After eleven months of virtually ceaseless negotiating, he obtained signatures on armistice agreements between Israel & the Arab States.
Bunche returned home to a hero's welcome. New York City gave him a 'ticker tape' parade up Broadway; Los Angeles declared a 'Ralph Bunche Day." He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 & died December 10, 1971, at age 68. Only inscription on headstone is "BUNCHE" & two olive branches.  
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N | 1980 - Peace Anniversary Coin (Israel). Front: An olive branch with "Peace" in Hebrew, Arabic & English. Reverse: Inscribed "Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty - March 26, 1979" in Hebrew, Arabic & English. The denomination "5000" or "200" Lirot. Around the rim, "Israel" in Hebrew, Arabic and English. The date "1980" and in Hebrew "5740." The State emblem at the upper right. The Proof coins struck with a Hebrew 'mem' mintmark at the bottom. The uncirculated coins with a six pointed star.
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1984 - Israeli postage stamp commemorating the Los Angeles Olympics. Shows dove of peace with olive branch taking first place.
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N | 1988 - Kikar Levana / White Square, Edith Wolfson Park, Tel Aviv (Israel). At the highest point in Tel Aviv. By Dani Karavan. Constructed between 1977 & 1988. "Spans an area of 30 x 50 meters. Features many of the elements that are familiar in Karavan’s other works -- a pyramid, a water channel, a tower (with wind flutes), and a dome with an olive tree in its center."
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 June 24, 1990 - "Silent Witness" Memorial, Gander Lake, Gander, Newfoundland (Canada). Memorizes 256 victims who died December 12, 1985, when Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashed while transporting Multinational Force Observers (MFO's) from the Sinai via Cairo to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky (USA). Depicts an unarmed soldier holding the hands of two children, each with an olive branch of peace. Plaque says, "Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Sculpted by Stephen Sheilds of Hopkinsville, Kentucky (USA).
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K | 1991 - Park of Olive[s], near Ramat Rachel Kibbutz, Jerusalem (Israel). Created by the artist Ran Morin & includes 200 olive trees planted in concentric rows leading to the Olive Columns monument. /// This ecological park is at the Green Line separating Israeli & some Arab neighborhoods within the borders of Jerusalem. N.B.: Ramat Rachel means Rachel's Well. Kibbutz Ramat Rachel overlooks Bethlehem (Occupied West Bank).
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L | 1991 - Bronze uniface medal. "Penning, titled "Epidaurus." "Depicts the famous ancient Greek theatre & an olive tree. Designed in 1991 by Werner Niermann (Germany, born 1939). Issued in 1992 by the British Art Medal Society. Width: 11 cm. Price: € 290,-. Info thanks to Arn Dekker, Pax Christi, Cambridge, UK."
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M | 1992 - Museo dell' Olivo / Olive Tree Museum, Imperia (Italy). "Receives an average of over 30,000 visitors each year; to date more that 500,000... A major Italian private museum, created to portray the olive tree, symbol of the Mediterranean; for 6,000 years it has played a leading role in the economic, technical, artistic and religious history of humanity."
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E |  1994-2006 - Peace Tree, Bromwell Elementary School, 2500 East Fourth Avenue, Denver, Colorado (USA). "Planted by Bromwell students on November 11, 1918, to mark the end of World War I (part of many celebrations held nationwide to mark the first Armistice Day)... In 1994, the tree was struck by Dutch Elm disease [upper right image]... Bromwell’s PTSA raised money for chainsaw sculptor David Mitchell to carve the trunk into the shape of an eagle, our school mascot, so that the two main branches became wide-spread wings. The head was lowered, as though the eagle was carrying an olive branch, a well-known symbol of peace.
The carving was about fifteen feet high [bottom image]... Finally, in 2006, it became clear that the Peace Tree, now called “The Eagle Tree” by our youngest students, was decaying from within and could topple and hurt someone. Our principal made the difficult decision to have it destroyed. ///
It is somewhat sad that this important landmark is no longer a part of our community. In another way, it may be fitting. After all, Armistice Day is now remembered by very few, and fewer still are the people who actually experienced the horrors or the devastation of 'the war to end all wars.' Time moves on, and that is particularly true on the school playground where children run and laugh, and grow so quickly.
The Peace Tree is gone now, and there are few clues to where it once stood. We have a few photographs and illustrations made by children [upper left image]. Otherwise, there is only the story."
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| About 1996 - Olive Tree, Rabin Memorial, Rabin Square (former Kings of Israel Square), Tel Aviv (Israel). Sculpture by Yaël Artsi (a resident of kibbutz Sdot-Yam). Stone inscribed, "Peace Shall Be His Legacy." "Âgé de 73 ans, Yitzhak Rabin [1922-1995] est assassiné de trois balles le 4 novembre 1995 juste après avoir prononcé un discours lors d'une manifestation pour la paix sur la Place des Rois de Tel Aviv... Dix ans après son assassinat, deux cent mille Israéliens se sont rassemblés le 5 novembre 2005 à Tel Aviv sur la place, rebaptisée à son nom désormais symbole de paix, où il avait été abattu en 1995." Click here for protest on Jan. 6, 2008. "Near the north end of the square is Holocaust memorial by Israeli artist Yigal Tumarkin (qv)."
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M | 1999 - Museum on the Seam (MOTS), 4 Chel Handasa Street, Jerusalem (Israel). Established in 1999 by Georg von Holtzbrinck, the Museum is situated in a building constructed in 1932 by Arab-Christian architect Anton Baramki. While Jerusalem was divided from 1948 to 1967, the building served as a military outpost (Turjeman Post), which stood on the [Green Line] border between Israel & Jordan [see Mandelbaum Gate]. The Museum calls itself a 'socio-political contemporary art museum' that deals with 'national, ethnic & economic seam lines' through its often disturbing exhibitions. The exhibitions held so far have been titled 'Dead End,' 'Equal and Less Equal,' 'Bare Life,' 'HeartQuake' & 'NatureNation.'
Many of the pieces are designed to make patrons feel uncomfortable, sad, or responsible for the art they are viewing. A perfect example of a piece that addresses a universal responsibility to tragedy and world events was featured in an exhibition called 'HeartQuake.' The work by Daniela Comani, entitled 'It Was Me/Diary 1900-1999,' listed 365 world events throughout the century as though the artist had experienced them firsthand.
In other exhibitions such as 'NatureNation,' the call for change is more subtle: 'Olive Trees Will Be Our Borders' [image], a neon sign placed above the entrance of the Museum with the title words in English, Arabic & Hebrew, reflects upon the Museum's transformation from a battle ground into a place of peaceful world reflection."
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|  Date? - Hand of Peace Monument, Marina, Kusadasi (Turkey). On the main tourist Marina. Sculpture depicts black doves of pece in a white hand. A live olive tree is part of the monument. Kusadasi is major tourist attraction in the Aegean & is visited by about 650 cruise ships per year.
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| Date? - Olive Tree, UN Headquarters Building, New York City, New York (USA).
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S | About 2000 - Olive Trees, Ma'aleh Adummim, east of Jerusalem (Occupied West Bank). A few of the many olive trees transplanted in recent years to decorate Israeli parks & traffic circles. Ma'aleh Adummim is a huge settlement extending Israel's illegal occupation from Jerusalem almost halfway to Jericho & the Dead Sea, thus dividing Palestinian Territory. These photos were taken on June 24, 2011. /// According to the Land Research Center (LRC) & Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ), "Israel continues to steal olive trees & replant them either inside its settlements in the Palestinian Territories or inside Israel. Such a policy started as early as 1967, following the Israeli occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip. The second half of the 1980's witnessed a marked increase in the implementation of this policy as Israel carried out a campaign against olive trees located in confiscated lands for the declared purpose of expanding its settlement area. Examples included the villages of Qattana & Kharrab Al Lahem to the northwest of Jerusalem, where 3,000 olive trees were uprooted & in Al Madya village to the west of Ramallah where 2,000 olive trees were uprooted. The most revolting action taken by Israel was the uprooting of a large number of olive trees & then replanting them in a park near the Central railway Station in Tel Peut district of Jerusalem. The park was named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. They wanted to pay tribute for this human rights advocate by planting stolen trees in his honor!!!!"
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E | 2003 - Forest Grove of the Nations, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem (Israel). Just below Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Image shows the president of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, planting an olive tree after his visit to Yad Vashem on March 15, 2011. "Efi Stenzler, World Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), invited the president of Cyprus to join the other heads of state who had already planted an olive tree in the Grove of the Nations, as a symbol of peace, partnership & brotherhood between the nations of the world. 'In the Jewish tradition, the most sublime expression of friendship is planting a tree. When our father Abraham wanted to make a covenant with Avimelech, the king of Gerar, he planted a tree in Beersheba,' Stenzler said...
The Grove of the Nations is part of a unique project to preserve and develop the Jerusalem Forest. The grove was founded in 2003 as a joint project of KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the 'Olive Tree Route' to promote intercultural dialogue, agriculture & peace among the nations of the region. To date, 48 presidents and heads of state from all over the world have planted trees in the forest grove, including the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the late president of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, the prime minister of Italy, Silvio Berluskoni, and also the secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, who in March 2007, planted the first olive tree in the grove that was part of the worldwide 'Green Belt' project to plant one billion trees that was announced by the United Nations as part of the fight against global warming."
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E | Before September 2003 - International Solidarity Movement house, Rafat (Gaza Strip). "Dedicated to Rachel Corrie, a 23 year-old U.S. peace activist from Olympia Washington who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in March 2003. She had attempted to block the path of the bulldozer as it approached a Palestinian home marked for destruction. The memorial reads: "RACHEL: OUR SISTER. OUR DAUGHTER. IF I AM TO LIVE LET ME LIVE LIKE YOU & IF I MUST DIE LET ME DIE LIKE YOU WITH COURAGE IN ONE HAND AND LOVE IN THE OTHER AND A HEART FULL OF JOY AND RESISTANCE." /// Left image shows "Cindy Corrie, right, & husband Craig, the parents of American ISM activist Rachel Corrie, carry[ing] two olive trees they later planted in the Rafah Refugee Camp in southern Gaza Strip Friday, Sept. 19, 2003."
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E | September 24, 2003 - "Deir Yassin Remembered," Seneca Lake (western shore), New York, New York (USA). Bronze sculpture of an uprooted olive tree by [political cartoonist] Khalil Bendib. Inscription: "Earth torn roots yearning, Palestine landscape mourning displaced descendants. Randa Hamwi Duwaji. Perpetrated by terrorists of the Irgun and Stern Gang, the massacre of Palestinian men, women, and children at Deir Yassin on April 9, 1948 is arguably the most pivotal event in 20th century Palestinian history. // The massacre symbolizes the Zionist quest to build a Jewish state on land inhabited for centuries by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It marks the begining of the descruction of over 400 Palestinian villages and the exile of more than 700,000 Palestinians. // Over half the population in the land controlled by Israel is not Jewish. Most of these non-Jews are Palestinians. Yet there are few memorails to mark their history and none to mark the massacre at Deir Yassin, which lies 3 km west of the Old City of Jerusalem and only 1,400 m to the north of Yad Vashem, the most famous of all the Holocaust memorials. The irony is breathtaking. // Khalil Bendib, Sculptor, 2003. www.deiryassin.org"
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E | April 9, 1948 - Palestinian Village of Deir Yassin (Israel). Unintentional monument. Scene of the Deir Yassin Massacre. Lower photo is Deir Yassin as seen from Yad Vashem; the village lies in the green trees to the right of the water tower.
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L | About 2005 - Peace Mural, Bethlehem (Palestine). "Famous mural in Bethlehem." Shows gunsite aimed at dove of peace carrying an olive branch but wearing an armored vest. By anonymous British grafitti artist Banksy.
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T |  2005 - "The Olive Tree," in artist's collection?, Amman (Jordan). By Ismail Shammout [1930-2006] -- one of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were expelled from their homeland, Palestine, in 1948. See his paintings from 1953.
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E | About 2005 - "The Tree Of Peace," Manger Square, Bethlehem (Palestine). An olive tree said to have been moved by construction of the Israeli Separation Wall. Its plaque reads: "EEC - SHAREK - YMCA Gratitude to those who choose to keep hope alive. COMMUNALE D'ATH / BELGIUM. I am 500 years old, I was uprooted without my permission from my original site (Th. Kamis Land) in Bir Ona - Beit Jala along with thousands of trees all over Palestine to build an apartheid wall.... I am still alive." FYI, Ath is a town in Walloon province of Hainaut, Belgium, and Beit Jala is adjacent to Bethlehem. N.B.: This plaque is only a portion of the earlier sign (left image). The tree we saw (inside the enclosure for a sidewalk restaurant) on June 15, 2011, is a younger & greener specimen (right image). Note Church of the Nativity in rear of left image & Bethlehem Peace Center in rear of right image. 
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M | 2006 - "The Color of Olives." "A documentary film that captures moments from the lives of a Palestinian family. Filmed in Masha, a Palestinian village 15 miles from Tel Aviv (Israel). Mexican director Carolina Rivas focuses on a Palestinian family of eight, headed by Hani Amer & his wife Monira. The village has been disrupted by construction of the wall separating Israel from the West Bank. The Amers' home is now separated from their orange & olive groves by electrified fences, a military road & a checkpoint. Rivas shows how Hani & his children wait patiently each morning for soldiers to unlock the gate to allow Hani to go to work & the children to get to their school."
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N | 2006? - Garden of Peace, Shfaram (Israel). "Olive seedlings were donated by Simon right seat for lemon Shfaram attack victims." [Google translation from Hebrew] "Shefa-'Amr, also Shfar'am, is a predominantly Arab city in the North District of Israel.... On August 4, 2005, an AWOL Israeli Defense Force soldier, Eden Natan-Zada [1986-2005], opened fire while aboard a bus in the city, killing four Israeli Arab citizens & wounding 22 others. After the shooting, Natan-Zada was overcome by nearby crowds, lynched & beaten with rocks."
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T |  2007 - "Islam is Peace," city? (Malaysia). By Russian artist Gregory Pototsky. Presented by the artist on the 50th anniversary of Malaysian independence. "For a long time I searched for a symbol that could represent tolerance across all religious faiths. In the Arabic language the words 'Islam' and 'Peace' have the same roots. Finally, I found one such symbol or rather combination of symbols; it is simple for everyone to understand, and it incorporates the Islamic croissant & the Peace branch of the olive tree.
Their peaceful spatial arrangement combined in one monument, called 'Islam is Peace,' reminds all of us that the word Islam is in reality the word Peace." 
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E | September 21, 2007 - Olivier - Arbe de Paix / Olive Tree - Peace Tree, College Vincent Scotto de la Capelette, Marseille (France). A honorer la Journee Internationale de la Paix, fixee au 21 septembre par l’Organisation des Nations Unies.
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E | May 8, 2009 - Olive Tree, Residence of President, Jerusalem (Israel). "In his closing address to the Holy Land, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI stated the following in reference to St. Paul's teaching on the Jews & the Church: 'Mr. President, you and I planted an olive tree at your residence on the day that I arrived in Israel. The olive tree, as you know, is an image used by Saint Paul to describe the very close relations between Christians & Jews. Paul describes in his Letter to the Romans how the Church of the Gentiles is like a wild olive shoot, grafted onto the cultivated olive tree which is the People of the Covenant (cf. 11:17-24). We are nourished from the same spiritual roots. We meet as brothers, brothers who at times in our history have had a tense relationship, but now are firmly committed to building bridges of lasting friendship." 
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E | 2008 - Mural, Bil'in (Occupied West Bank). Depicts an olive tree. Painted in one day by Susan Greene of Break the Silence Mural Project (BTS). The village of Bil'in protests every Friday against the taking of its land for an illegal Israeli settlement. Click here for AP story dated June 27, 2011, about partial removal of the Israeli barrier (as published in the Boston Globe).
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T | 2008 - "The Middle-East Dialogue Quilt," Friends Meeting House, Ramallah (Palestine). Created in Boston & transported to Ramallah by Jim Harb of Knoxville, Tennessee. Now hung on the front wall of the meeting house. /// Bottom image shows Marina Shaw, Bill Shaw & Kathy Bergen holding FCNL brochure from the Dayton International Peace Museum, of which Bill is president. Presiding clerk Jean Zaru is at left in both images. Both photos taken June 18, 2011.
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E | June 19, 2010 - Peace Fountain & Olive Tree, Cloister of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (England). "The Dean dedicated a new work of art in the medieval cloister. It comprises a fountain together with an olive tree, a traditional symbol of peace. The work is by sculptor Gary Breeze from Diss, Norfolk, who has been described as one of the most inventive letterers working today. The fountain & the tree together, with their inscriptions, mark the threshold of the cathedral’s sacred space. They stand on cross-of-Lorraine shaped paving which marks the foundation stones of what may have been a 16th century belfry erected after Cardinal Wolsey had demolished some of the Priory buildings to make room for his College. The inscription around the olive tree will welcome the 250,000 visitors who come to Christ Church each year with words from the Book of the Revelation (22,2): 'The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.'"
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L | 2010 - "My Name is Palestine," Montreal, Quebec (Canada). By Arabic calligrapher eL Seed. "The olive tree: at once a symbol of peace throughout the mediterranean & an embodiment of identity deeply entranched [sic] in Palestinian culture. The olive tree is also the foundation for the economic activity & development in Palestine. Planting an olive tree, therefore, is both expressing a desire for peace & also a desire to protect lands from dispossession & ruin.
The scattered pockets of color which compose this mural are but a symbol of a culture, an identity, which is itself disjointed & in fragments. In contrast, the phrase 'My name is Palestine' affirms the existance of this identity. Naming is one manner through which to assert the presence of a people, a history & a culture.
- eL Seed." Click here for video.
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E | October 2, 2010 - World Peace Tree, Umag (Croatia). "Planting an olive tree as a living symbol of peace & non-violence... The one-day-event "Day of Non-Violence for World Peace' on the UN International Day of Peace was the highlight of the yoga retreat organized from September 24 till October 3 in the historical town of Umag, Croatia, at the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Thousands of people from all of Croatia as well as from other European countries and representatives of USA, Australia & India accepted the invitation of the organisers – Sri Swami Madhavananda, World Peace Council & the Croatian Association of Yoga in Daily Life – and came to Umag to reinforce the idea of peace, tolerance & non-violence as the only viable future of mankind."
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L | November 8, 2010 - Memorial of Samer Sarhan, Silwan (East Jerusalem). "Today, workers from the Jerusalem municipality & Israeli forces removed the Memorial of Samer Sarhan, this morning. They also removed the water supply donated on the soul of Samer Sarhan & the olive tree planted in the place, although the tree was present prior to the monument. The operation took place under the monitoring of an Israeli helicopter in the area. Vehicles of municipal workers & Israeli forces emerged after the enforcement of the task in less than ten minutes. One eyewitness & a resident of the region said, 'members of the Israeli police came earlier to take pictures of the site of the memorial. They must have have studied how to implement the process in a very short time and leave before a large number of residents noticed them.' He adds, 'police were not alone for the removal of a martyr’s memorial, but were accompanied by the head of settlers’ guards in Silwan.'" /// Samer Sarhan, age 32, was shot & killed by an Israeli settler in September 2010 for allegedly throwing stones at him. Sarhan died after he bled for two hours & police stopped an ambulance from saving him. Others were wounded in the shooting.
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E | As of July 26, 2011 - Oldest Olive Tree in Bethlehem (al-Badawi), Al-Walaja, Bethlehem Governate (Occupied West Bank). /// From Wikipedia: "Al-Walaja is the site of al-Badawi, a 5,000 year old olive tree, claimed to be the oldest [olive tree] in the world... On April 29, 2010, a joint demonstration involving both [Jewish] settlers of the adjacent Gush Etzion settlement block & local Arab residents protested the construction of a long-delayed extension of Israel's network of security fences & walls around Jerusalem. The event was partially coordinated by the Kfar Etzion-based organization Eretz Shalom / Land of Peace dedicated to building contacts between Jewish settlers & West Bank natives."
/// Email from Dr. Mazin Qumsieh of the Palestinian Center for Raprochment Between People in Bethlehem: "We (5 Israelis & 2 Palestinians) were roughed up [July 26, 2011] by Israeli apartheid soldiers, then abducted, while filming the destruction of the land of
Al-Walaja. In my case, the [Israeli army] officer recognized me & came straight at me pushing me to the ground, kicking me, then asking his soldiers to take me away. Shireen [Al-Araj, a member of Walaja's Popular Committee Against the Wall] was taken later by the invading fascist soldiers. It hurts so much to see how slowly the old [olive] trees are being uprooted to build [an Israeli separation] wall on village land that will separate the villagers from their agricultural fields. In this case, trees & an agricultural road (built
with European funding) were being destroyed. The oldest tree
in the Bethlehem district, an olive tree that is perhaps 3-4,000 years old is
also in the path of the apartheid wall. [Early this morning] the Israeli soldiers working as
subcontractors for land thieves & racists also raided the Freedom Theater
in Jenin (founded by our friend & martyr Juliano Mer-Khamis [1958-2011]) & abducted
[two] of the workers there. We ask everyone to write to politicians, media & others to alert them of these persistent violations of basic human
rights. We must intensify pressure via boycotts, divestments & sanctions [BDS]." ///
Top image courtesy of Mazin Qumsieh.
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T |  Future - Olive Branch Living Memorial Forest, near Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). "An olive tree planted in memory of each American service person lost during the recent conflicts. A permanent memorial structure featuring the names of every soldier who gave his or her life will also be built on the land... Will commemorate the lives of American soldiers lost in Iraq. The land for this project, over 300 acres of prime property, has been generously donated to Generation Iraq, an American non-profit organization, by the government of Iraqi Kurdistan..."
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S | For Sale - "The Olive Tree of Jerusalem," Balian Armenian Ceramics, 14 Nablus Road, East Jerusalem.
32 Tiles : Size 60 x 120 cm (24"x48") without border. Total size including border is: 75 x 135 cm (30"x54")
Mural size can be expanded or reduced according to customer specification.
The tiles & pottery of The Balian Armenian Ceramics have been exhibited all over the world in various museums & institutions. The zenith being the solo exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum of Washington D.C. in 1992. Our pottery has also been the subject of numerous articles in magazines & newspapers worldwide. These include The Washington Post, The LA Times, The Chicago Tribune
& The New York Times."
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2000 - Rabin Memorial, Harris Street, Wellington (New Zealand). An olive tree [not shown] & a granite memorial to Yitzhak Rabin [1922-1995] who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
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