Ambassadors plant 75 trees in honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary

Foreign ambassadors in Israel planted 75 trees on Wednesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the Jewish state’s independence. 

The Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) hosted the unique ceremony in the Israeli capital Jerusalem. Ambassadors who attended the event came from around the world including the United States, Brazil, India, Japan, Italy, Germany, Nigeria, Bahrain, and Mexico. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that tree planting represented the Jewish people’s strong bond with the Land of Israel. 

"Planting 75 trees together with the ambassadors to Israel symbolizes the Jewish people's deep connection with the land of Israel, as well as the State of Israel's strength and prosperity, on the 75th anniversary of its independence,” stated Cohen. 

“I would like to express my gratitude to the ambassadors who took part in this project, giving expression to the friendship and international esteem Israel has gained around the world," added the Israeli top diplomat. 

It was an honor to host more than 75 diplomatic representatives in Israel for the planting of 75 trees in honor of Israel's 75th birthday.

Thank you FM @elicoh1, @MattanyaCohen and JNF-KKL for making this initiative happen.

📸Yossi Zamir, JNF-KKL archives pic.twitter.com/nj8qjp6x6S

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 3, 2023

The Zambian Ambassador to Israel H.E. Martin Mwanambale who led the group of foreign envoys, recited a special tree-planting prayer. 

“I feel honored and privileged to take part in this tree planting event, together with my fellow ambassadors,” said Mwanambale. 

“It's a very symbolic act, as it expresses our collective good wishes for the future of Israel and its people. It's significant that this event is taking place during Israel’s 75th Independence anniversary,” added the Zambian ambassador. 

The Jewish National Fund, which is responsible for tree planting in Israel, has planted more than 250 million trees in the Land of Israel since 1901. Israel is one of the very few countries that has more trees today than a century ago. Every year, Israelis plant trees to celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish tree holiday.