Ayoub Abuhejleh, a 57-year-old Palestinian farmer from the village of Deir Istiya, occupied West Bank, is on a horticultural crusade through his work with the Economic and Social Development Centre of Palestine. Abuhejleh, who is also the village’s former mayor (2011 – 2014) has swapped his suit for farming tools adamant to stay put on his land. Farmer ordered to leave his farmland Since 2023, Abuhejleh has planted 370 olive trees, as well as almonds, figs, and grapes. “I’ve raised these olive trees as my own children,” he tells the Canary. These plants and trees line the agricultural road leading to…