HALO's Work in the West Bank

Landmines in the West Bank date back to the Six Day Arab-Israeli war in the late 1960s, when dense minefields were laid throughout the highlands and in the Jordan Valley. Since then, mines have been a constant danger for families in the region, particularly farmers like Kayyed who owns an olive grove.

“It was as if the land didn’t exist, because there were mines in it. If anyone came here, especially the children, we became very anxious.”

Kayyed, farmer, West Bank

Our Work

Clearing landmines & explosives

HALO has been working with the Israeli National Mine Action Authority and the Palestinian Mine Action Centre to clear landmines in the West Bank since 2014. During this time, we have built trust across religious and cultural divides and cleared many minefields, enabling families to return and farmers to cultivate their land once more. One of the largest minefields we have cleared is at the site of the Baptism of Christ, known as Qaser al-Yahud, on the banks of the River Jordan, where landmines have prevented pilgrims from visiting eight sacred churches and monasteries for over 50 years.

Having gained the approval of the Israelis, Palestinians and all the churches, to clear the Baptism Site, we began work to make this very special place safe, so the churches can become places of worship once again.

OUR IMPACT

“In a region troubled by division, clearing landmines at this holy site is a rare symbol of hope and reconciliation. It is truly inspiring to think that pilgrims will be able to worship safely in these churches once again.”

Archbishop of Canterbury

Shortly before Holy Week in 2018, we began work to clear the churches at the Site of the Baptism of Christ. Today, all the churches have been made safe and soon the surrounding minefields will be cleared. In 2016, when the Head of the Romanian Patriarchate visited his church, he was unable to step inside because of the landmines. Watch the video below to see the Patriarchate worship in his church for the first time in over fifty years.

Step inside the
Romanian Church

Stories from West Bank

A Story of Hope For Christmas

Halo at the Baptism site

Watch now

Saleem's Legacy

Watch now

Get involved

Our work in West Bank is funded by:

The EU's Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace

The Government of Israel

Meet our team in West Bank

Ronen Shimoni

Programme Manager

Ronen first joined HALO in 1998, training in Mozambique before taking a sabbatical to study a master’s degree in Human Resources and International Relations. From 2001 Ronen worked in Kosovo, Abkhazia and Sri Lanka. He then joined an Israeli NGO during where he managed the data department and delivered medical training to HALO employees in Angola, Sri Lanka and Mozambique. In 2011 he re-joined HALO and established the West Bank Programme.

Hagai Golibrozky

Operations and Logistics Officer

Hagai joined HALO in January 2012 having spent time as an Officer in the Israeli Artillery and as a paramedic. He is employed as the Operations and Logistics Officer however, is also responsible for the programmes medical training and ERW survey having completed his IMAS EOD Level 2 in Nagorno Karabakh in October 2015. He enjoys spending time with his friends and his growing family.

Fadi Masarwa

Survey and Administration Officer

Fadi joined HALO in December 2013 having worked in and run his own IT solutions, finance, logistics and trade business. Fadi is employed as the programme administrator and conducts liaison with the Palestinian Authority and beneficiaries. He is married to Linda with whom he has two young boys. Fadi spends his time off with his family, in the gym and SCUBA diving in the Red Sea.

Lasha Bluashvili

Task Supervisor

Lasha joined HALO in 2008 in Georgia where he undertook demining training. On completion of his training he took up the position of BAC and later Mechanical Team Leader. In 2014 he moved to Israel to take up the position of mechanical and manual supervisor. In addition to clearing landmines, Lasha owns a tyre business and vineyard where he spends most of his time when at home in Georgia.

West Bank