Awards for Olive Oil supported by Church

Olive oil produced from a grove supported by the Church of Scotland in Israel has scooped two international awards.

Two varieties - the Cortina (Extra Positive Olive Oil) and Piqual (Extra Social Olive Oil) both won silver medals in the highly prestigious and competitive international Ovibeja olive oil competition in Portugal.

The oil is extracted from olives grown in the Scottish Grove in the heart of the Jazreel Valley between Nazareth and Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) by Sindyanna of Galilee.

A non-profit organisation led by a team of Arab and Jewish women, it produces olive oil and other premium food products including honey, almonds and carob syrup while promoting Fair Trade, creating economic opportunities and assisting local growers and producers.

Planted in 2012, the Scottish Grove serves as the missing link between the Arab farmer and the Israeli market - the first flourishing organic olive grove of its kind in the region.

It is a model of co-operation between Arab landowners, the Abu Hatum family, Sindyanna of Galilee, and the Church, which has a long history in the Middle East and is active in advocating for a just peace in the region in political and religious arenas.

In addition to St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberias Church,which operate as one congregation, the Kirk owns the Scots Hotel in Tiberias, St Andrew’s Guesthouse in Jerusalem and Tabeetha School in Jaffa. The Rev Muriel Pearson, Associate Minister of St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberias Church,said: “The Scots Hotel uses Sindyanna Oil exclusively.

“We always knew it was the best and now it has the awards to prove it.

“Sindyanna of Galilee is also a model of co-operative working between Jewish and Palestinian Israelis.”

A plaque erected in the Scottish Grove was dedicated by the Very Rev David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2011-12.