In June 2007, within the framework of the "Olives – The Symbol of Peace" project, which is a sub-project of the Peres Center's "Integrated Crop Management" program, the Peres Center, together with the General Council of Marseilles, France, held a 3-day Israeli-Palestinian-French workshop which focused on the improvement of olive oil quality and marketing techniques.
The Palestinian-Israeli delegation at the Olive Oil Workshop in France, June 2007
Some 35 delegates took part in various workshop sessions, which were presented by international experts in the field, including from the Fred J. Hansen Institute for World Peace of the San Diego State University Foundation.
The highlight of the workshop was a major event that attracted 150 guests including local politicians and media representatives, which featured addresses by the head of the Palestinian, Israeli and French delegations, in addition to the Vice President of the General Council of Marseilles.
A session of olive oil tasting at the Israeli-Palestinian-French workshop in Marseilles, within the "Olives - the Symbol of Peace" project
Furthermore, the delegates were instructed as to how to differentiate between olive oil qualities. This session, which was led by leading tasters from Europe, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, was held at Chateau Virant (one of the best winery and olive oil producers in Provence).
The valuable skills acquired by the delegates during the workshop will enable the Palestinian and Israeli delegates to work together to meet international olive oil standards for export, and eradicate the damaging olive fly.
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