In one of the date markets, Muhammad Kaid Slim stands behind neatly arranged boxes, not merely displaying his goods but offering a narrative about land, water, and identity. For him, the distinction between Palestinian dates and those of the occupation is clear and essential. He has been in the date industry for 15 years and emphasizes that Palestinian dates are irrigated with natural well water from the eastern Jordan Valley, whereas dates produced under occupation are allegedly irrigated with treated wastewater, which he claims affects their quality, taste, and appearance.

Muhammad elaborates that the issue goes beyond just irrigation quality; it encompasses marketing and identity. A considerable portion of dates grown in Palestinian land is exported as Israeli products, and sometimes occupation-produced dates are sold within Palestinian markets as original dates. This situation presents consumers with misleading information that's difficult to uncover, complicating their purchasing decisions.

He describes a complex agricultural reality in the Palestinian Jordan Valley, stating that the occupation has confiscated vast areas of land that were once cultivated with palm trees, leaving farmers with only limited land to work. This land appropriation not only affects the availability of quality dates but also undermines the cultural and economic livelihood of Palestinian farmers, posing significant challenges to their agricultural identity and market competition.