Dozens of ambassadors from foreign countries in Israel participated in a tour of southern Israel on March 17 as part of a collaboration between Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the chief of protocol at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors’ Club. The tour aimed to expose them to the damage caused to the Gaza Envelope by the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which started when terrorists invaded and attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
During the visit, rehabilitation efforts were also presented.
As a Jewish and Zionist organization, KKL-JNF is dedicated to rehabilitating affected communities and developing the region. As Israel’s national forestry authority, it is responsible for restoring forested areas damaged by the events of Oct. 7 and the ongoing conflict.
The ambassadors began their visit at the Gilat Nursery in the south, where they received a professional overview of the region’s challenges. The group then toured Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where they heard firsthand accounts of the massacre that took place there and learned about the community’s recovery story. Residents of that kibbutz are temporarily living in the Ruhama neighborhoods, established with donations from KKL-JNF offices worldwide.
Afterward, the group went to the site of the Nova music festival in Re’im. The ambassadors participated in a tree-planting ceremony in Magen Forest with KKL-JNF chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski, symbolizing hope and regrowth. The day concluded with a visit to Beit Alami in Kibbutz Zikim, which was rehabilitated around a decade ago with the support of KKL-JNF Australia. The ambassadors met with members of Kibbutz Zikim, who shared their community’s history and experiences.
The tour was designed to strengthen diplomatic relations with the participating countries and explore future collaborations in such fields as forestry, development and environmental rehabilitation. Among the ambassadors were those from the Netherlands, Argentina, Guatemala, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and several other countries.
“In a region where we experienced a barbaric massacre a year and a half ago, today we stand together and plant roots for new growth,” said Ovadia-Luski. “This tree-planting ceremony, with representatives of these countries, is an important step in strengthening Israel’s relationships and advocacy during this complex time. The ambassadors will carry the story of Israel’s resilience to their home countries.”
