IN STEREO

We’re the second generation [after] the ones who established the cooperative. My dad, may he rest in peace, was one of the founders. Every three years, they hold elections [to decide] who takes the board, so that a new administration comes. Not any farmer has the right to vote. Whoever is a contributor has the right to run for elections and to vote. When there was a new cycle, the farmers said, “You have experience in agriculture – run for the cooperative!” When I took over, the cooperative had been in recession for twenty years. So I told them, “We as young men want to take over; now we improve.” The elderly pressed the season, then sat down. We activated the cooperative. The purpose of running for the cooperative was to develop and modernise [it], to serve the child of the country, the Palestinian farmer. We have something called the Palestinian Oil Council. Its purpose is to serve the farmer and oil marketing inside and outside the homeland.

And we’re among the founders of the Union of Cooperatives in Palestine. All of this is to serve the farmer, to serve the cooperative, to help the society. This is the important thing. Of course, we must have harmony between me and the members in the cooperative, and the farmer too. As they elected me, I have to provide them the best service and the best treatment in return. This is important, the relation between the association or the cooperative and the members and the administration council and the farmer. We’re all united for their interests. This is important so that my relationship with them stays good, that they know, “I elected a president and an administration that served and helped me, for my interests, to improve my income and my family’s income and oil quality.” I mean, that they chose the right person in the right place. This is important. – Basher