Warmly welcomed by Elisha Mizrahi of KKL-JNF’s Resource Development and External Affairs Division. “The trees that you plant today in the Holy Land,” he said, “will be planted on behalf of the entire communities that each and every one of you represents. “
ICEJ Friends of Israel Tree Planting Ceremony. Photo: Dennis Zinn, KKL-JNF
ICEJ Vice President & Senior Spokesman David Parsons said that he was thrilled to be here. “It’s wonderful to see old friends from all over the world,” he said, “it’s like a homecoming after being away for a long time. We are here to reaffirm and revitalize our partnership with KKL-JNF.”
Parsons also delivered a message from ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler: “The Christian Embassy has a long history of partnering with KKL-JNF from our inception in 1980. Through our joint efforts, Christians from around the world have planted hundreds of thousands of trees all around Israel. This is a nation that has emerged as a global leader in water conservation, reforestation, and many other laudable initiatives to preserve and enhance the environment. We aspire to better inform Christians worldwide about this exemplary record, and KKL-JNF’s central role in it. We also want to encourage Christians to continue investing as never before in the greening of Israel for future generations.”
ICEJ Friends of Israel Tree Planting Ceremony. Photo: Dennis Zinn, KKL-JNF
Ronnie Vinnikov, Head of the Resource Development and External Affairs Division at KKL-JNF, thanked David Parsons for his warm words. "We are grateful for the special connection we have with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and Friends of Israel around the world,” he said. "KKL-JNF works tirelessly to build and develop the land of Israel from North to South. There is no doubt that ICEJ and the Friends of Israel are our partners in the process and greatly contribute to the success of many projects for the benefit of all.”
The Planter’s Prayer was led by Barry Denison, ICEJ Vice President - Operations, and Eran Zabadi, KKL-JNF Eshtaol Nursery Forester. This being a Shmita year – the biblically mandated Sabbatical for the Land of Israel in which planting is prohibited – the sapling planting was done in biodegradable pots.
ICEJ Friends of Israel Tree Planting Ceremony. Photo: Dennis Zinn, KKL-JNF
While planting his sapling, Ryan Tsuen from Canada said that he feels very fortunate. “We are so privileged to be here with KKL-JNF,” he said, “it's solidarity with the Jewish people and the country. It’s also a privilege for us to represent Christians from around the world.”
Jenny Stables from Zimbabwe said that she has been coming to Israel annually for over thirty years. “It’s such an honor to be back in Israel again. This event today was one of the best I have ever taken part in,” she enthused. "It was so wonderful to have KKL-JNF and the ICEJ together. What a joy it is to plant trees in Israel.”
Ronnie Vinnikov presented David Parsons and Barry Denison with a Tree Planting Certificate honoring the contribution of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. ICEJ Vice President of Operations, Barry Denison, then came forward and said, with great emotion, “I want to emphasize that beyond the amazing spiritual significance of planting a tree in Israel, the value of the friendship we feel here is precious to us all and we thank you for that.”