On July 31, 2025 Israeli forces bulldozed the UAWC seed‑multiplication unit in Hebron. Built from 2010, the unit was the only seed bank in the West Bank and, UAWC said, it safeguarded more than 70 indigenous heirloom varieties that many communities rely on.
The razing was swift and unannounced. Bulldozers and heavy machinery destroyed tools, propagation materials and infrastructure, and a video of the damage was shared on Facebook. UAWC described the loss as a direct blow to Palestinian efforts to preserve local biodiversity and ensure food sovereignty.
Activists and experts say seed banks hold biological diversity, community memory and agricultural knowledge. The article links this destruction to other attacks on farming and seed systems, such as bombardment of Gaza’s Baladi seed bank in Al‑Qarara, which damaged native wheat, spinach and barley and displaced farming families who later tried to rebuild.
International groups condemned the Hebron destruction and urged investigations, while some legal experts say such damage can be treated as potential war crimes.
Difficult words
- raze — to destroy a building or structure completelyrazing
- bulldoze — to knock down with large machinesbulldozed
- seed bank — place where seeds are stored and saved
- heirloom — old plant variety kept by communities
- indigenous — native to a particular local area
- biodiversity — variety of living plants and animals
- food sovereignty — community control over its own food supply
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could the loss of a local seed bank affect farmers and their food supply? Give one or two reasons.
- What actions could international groups or local communities take after destruction of a seed bank?
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