The President of the Republic of Nauru, HE Baron Waqa, planted a tree at the Grove of Nations in Jerusalem at a ceremony that took place on Sunday, June 11. The ceremony was part of a five-day visit to Israel by the President and his entourage.
“This tree will stay in my memory in special way. I think that all my life I will remember that I planted a tree in Jerusalem. As I have said many times, Israel has a special place in the hearts of the people of Nauru. This visit symbolizes the strength and the continuity of the friendship between us, which this tree is witness to.” Mr. Baron Waqa, the President of Nauru, was speaking at a special ceremony that took place at the Grove of Nations before he planted his olive tree next to the other trees planted previously by other heads of states.
Nauru is a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean not too far away from northeastern Australia. It is possibly the only country in the world whose support of Israel is not dependent on any agreement with the United States. Many times, President Waqa said, “no matter what happens. Nauru’s support of Israel is always guaranteed.” The President was accompanied on his visit to Israel by his wife, Madam Louisa Waqa, the Minister of Education and Health, Mr. Charmaine Scotty, Parliament Member Milton Dube, the Ambassador of Nauru to Israel, HE Marlene Moses, and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Michael Aroi.
The President and his entourage were greeted by KKL-JNF Chief of Protocol Andy Michelson, who emphasized the importance of planting a tree directly after the group’s visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. “After seeing and hearing about the murder of six million Jews during the Second World War, there is something very special about planting a living tree in this valley. You will be planting an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace. We all hope that it will be a good omen for the future,” Mr. Michelson concluded.
Mr. Milton Dube, a member of the Nauru parliament, read the Planter's Prayer in English, after which everyone accompanied the President to be with him while he planted his tree. President Waqu began his work with a big smile, assisted by his wife.
After the tree was planted, Andy Michelson presented a KKL-JNF Certificate of Appreciation to the President and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Protocol, Mr. Meron Reuven. Before leaving, the President joked that he would find the tree site on GPS so he could watch it grow from the comfort of his living room back home in Nauru.