Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) hosted Santiago Peña, the president of Paraguay, for a tree-planting ceremony of hope and friendship on Dec. 11 at the KKL-JNF “Grove of Nations” in Jerusalem. His visit was part of a high-level delegation from the South American nation celebrating the opening of its embassy in Jerusalem.
Peña was joined by senior KKL-JNF officials, led by co-chair Yitzhak Vaknin, as he planted the tree, symbolizing the strengthening of ties between the two countries. The visit underscores the warm relationship and expresses Paraguay’s solidarity with Israel during these challenging times. It also reflects a mutual desire to enhance cooperation across various technological and sociological fields.
In his remarks, Peña said: “May this tree grow strong and live long, a living symbol of the shared history between our countries, the bonds of friendship we have forged, and our mutual commitment to the values we hold dear.”
Vaknin said “the president, accompanied by a distinguished delegation of ministers and parliamentarians from Paraguay, has made this emotional occasion a true reflection of the deep connection between our countries. The president is a true friend, and we stand by him in his efforts to promote friendship between our nations.”
He added that “KKL-JNF will continue its historic role in preserving and developing Israeli nature, serving as a source of knowledge in this field for many nations.”