Friend Organizations

The thesis “Unpacking the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Decision to Stop Funding UAWC” examines how security narratives led the Netherlands to end its funding in 2022 for the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC). For many years, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs had supported this Palestinian NGO, which worked to improve the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers, particularly in Area C — the part of the illegally occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank that remains under direct Israeli military control. The research into the reasons behind the decision to defund UAWC is based on documents obtained through the Dutch Transparency Act (Wet Open Overheid, or WOO), comprising more than 1,100 pages of written communications. Read full article: https://ruralsociologywageningen.nl/2025/10/09/constructing-ties-how-security-narratives-led-to-the-defunding-of-uawc-in-occupied-palestinian-territories/

Highlights: - Residents of Amsterdam Noord and other neighbourhoods of Amsterdam are suffering from chemical odors caused by ICL, which emits a terrible stench as well as high levels of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Despite years of complaints and fines, ICL continues polluting.In Catalonia (Spain), ICL Iberia caused widespread water pollution, leaving the Catalan government with massive debts, yet the company seeks to expand. - ICL profits from the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestine. It extracts minerals and water from the Dead Sea in the occupied West Bank, contributes to environmental destruction and settlement agriculture. ICL’s activities have already caused major ecological disasters, still it plans harmful new mines. - ICL directly funds the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) through it’s ‘Adopt a Soldier’ program, a project aimed at providing assistance to combat soldiers. ICL has adopted two regiments which actively took part in several mass atrocities, including the Nakba and the ground offensive in Gaza that started in October 2023. - ICL is one of only three companies involved in the supply chain of white phosphorus ammunition production. Its use as an incendiary weapon civilian areas constitutes a war crime. Amnesty International has documented its recent use by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, causing horrible civilian suffering. Read full aritcle on: https://aseed.net/a-closer-look-at-israeli-company-icl/

*Volunteers needed for the StreekWaar market stall!* StreekWaar is looking for volunteers to help out at the market stall on Saturdays in Wageningen. Are you into local and sustainable food? Do you want to get involved with our local food community? Are you proactive, welcoming and friendly? Then we are looking for you! What does it involve? - half-day shifts on Saturdays as often as suits you (7h30-12h30 or 12h30-17h30) - helping setting up/tidying up the products on the stall - helping selling products from various StreekWaar members - small volunteer compensation, plus any leftover veggies You'll always be with an experienced StreekWaar producer who will be there to supervise/ show you what to do. Ideally you are able to help on a regular basis throughout the autumn and winter. Speaking Dutch is not a requirement. We do value a social personality and good communication skills. Interested? Contact Pauline via info@streekwaar.nl. NB: StreekWaar is a local network of food entrepreneurs with a focus on (agro)ecological food. Among others, the members share a stall at the Wageningen market, with a diverse assortment of local products for your weekly groceries. More about StreekWaar: streekwaar.nl