Referring to the olive tree sapling he was about to plant as a “symbol of peace,” President Papoulias said he wanted to convey the deep sense of friendship felt by the Greek people for the State of Israel: “We are united with your nation historically and culturally, and in our joint desire to advance security and peace. I hope that the new chapter recently opened in the ties between Greece and Israel will be a new beginning that will continue to develop and flourish long into the future, just like this tree, for the sake of both of our nations, and also for the sake of all the nations of the region,” said the Greek president.
“I am very pleased that you have joined a long line of international leaders who have planted a tree in Jerusalem,” said KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler, noting that in Jewish tradition, planting a tree is the most important expression of friendship. He added that by planting a tree, the president was following in the footsteps of Abraham who, when he wanted to make a covenant with Avimelech, king of Gerar, planted a tamarisk tree in what is today the Israeli city of Beersheba.
“Greece and Israel are neighbors, both bordering on the Mediterranean Sea," Stenzler continued. "We have firsthand knowledge of the professionalism of your country's foresters and nature protection rangers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the president and the people of Greece for coming to Israel’s aid during the December forest fire which devastated the northern Carmel forest. Greek planes were among the first to come help Israel put out the raging fire. Thanks to you and the planes you sent, we were able to prevent a larger disaster,” Stenzler said, to a round of applause from the Israeli members of the audience.