President of the Dominican Republic Plants an Olive Tree in Jerusalem

July 2009

People say that difficult times are the test of true friendship. The Dominican Republic proved its bond with the Jewish people during the dark moments on the eve of World War II, when it was the only country in the world that agreed to accept 100,000 Jewish refugees. The visit to Israel of the President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, was an expression of the historical bond between the two peoples and the excellent relations between the two countries.

President Reyna and KKL-JNF chairman at the Grove of Nations. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

After a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, the President of the Republic planted an olive tree in the Grove of Nations in Jerusalem Forest, which is located just beneath the memorial. "The tree that we will plant here is a symbol of the friendship between our two peoples and expresses our hope for peace amongst nations. I very much admire KKL-JNF's work on behalf of nature and the environment. The struggle against global warming and desertification is a goal that we all share," said President Reyna.

Noting the historic bond between the Jewish people and the Dominican Republic, the President added: "If only 100,000 refugees had arrived safely on our shores rather than just 10,000! Besides the humanitarian aspect of saving people whose lives were in danger, I have no doubt that they would have made a significant contribution to our country in terms of technological and scientific advancement."

KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler welcomed the president at the ceremony: "In the Jewish tradition, planting a tree means making a covenant of friendship, just as Abraham made a covenant with Avimelech by planting a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. The Grove of the Nations offers world leaders an opportunity to express their solidarity with the Jewish people, with the state of Israel and with nature and the environment. The tree planted by the President of the Dominican Republic tells the moving story of the Republic's readiness to provide safe haven for Jewish refugees on the eve of the Second World War."

Dominican delegation at the Grove of Nations. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

Mr. Mordechai Dayan, a member of the KKL-JNF Directorate, greeted the hosts in Spanish and described KKL-JNF's contribution to the founding of the state of Israel, adding: "We will never forget those who attacked us over the course of history, but we will also always remember those who stretched out a helping hand and supported us. Our neighbors are not our enemy; we will eventually make peace with them. Our real enemy is the damage being done to nature and the environment, which KKL-JNF is fighting against today and every day."

Andy Michelson, KKL-JNF Director of Protocol and VIP Ceremonies, emphasized the importance of planting a tree immediately after visiting Yad Vashem: "This memorial commemorates the millions of victims, and planting a tree is a reaffirmation of life. It is important to foster ties between countries not only by words, but also by deeds. Planting a tree is a way of strengthening the bond."

The ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Israel and the Israeli ambassador to the Dominican Republic read the "Planter's Prayer" together, in both Hebrew and Spanish. Afterwards, the KKL-JNF World Chairman and the President of the Dominican Republic planted an olive tree in the grove that is home to many trees planted by heads of state from all over the world. The President surprised everyone when he called on each of the members of his delegation to take part in planting the tree: "After all, it is a democracy," he said with a smile.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Stenzler and President Reyna signed on the shovel that was used to plant the olive tree in the soil of Jerusalem.