Thread 519668748

On Tuesday, September 16, a huge group of 250 American State Legislators gathered in southern Israel for a unique ceremony. They had come to plant trees in Park Ofakim. However, this wasn’t a normal tree planting in Israel. There were fifty saplings, one for each state in the American Union.

Flags fluttered in the breeze, from Hawaii to Arizona, Idaho to Montana. “Seeing elected officials from all 50 US states planting trees together in our country, each tree becomes a symbol of love for the land and of the profound connection that unites us,” KKL-JNF World Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski said.

The massive delegation is the largest to visit Israel, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharren Haskel, addressed the group in a large tent near where the politicians were going to plant trees.
A flock of buses had brought them here, and the tent was completely packed, with people standing at the back and stands erected to provide water to the attendees. The ceremony was highlighted by several young people, one of whom sang a song, and one said the “planters’ prayer.”

Two members of the delegation, one from Maine and one from Georgia, spoke. Matthew Harrington, a Maine State Senator, spoke about the trees as a symbol of growth and the future. “With these 50 trees, each one representing a state of the United States, we are weaving together two powerful stories, the enduring strength of this land and the enduring friendship between nations and peoples."
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867678

At a time when Israel faces growing isolation around the world, the largest-ever delegation of US lawmakers, representing all 50 states, arrived in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar both addressed the delegation at an event at the Foreign Ministry titled “50 States One Israel” on Monday.

“Welcome to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel,” declared Lior Haiat, Deputy Director for North America at the Foreign Ministry, as he opened the event.

Speaking later to The Jerusalem Post, Haiat emphasized, "In a period like this, seeing bipartisan support from all 50 US states, in a historic event unprecedented in Israel’s history, reminds us that in difficult moments our true friends stand by our side."

The US lawmakers are in Israel for meetings with senior officials and tours across the country, underscoring their message that support for Israel in the US is a matter of national consensus.

“I thank you for coming here to stand with Israel. Thank you, Democrats and Republicans alike. We value and cherish your support. This is an active effort to counter attempts to besiege Israel - not isolated, not symbolic, but a real effort to push back," Netanyahu told the delegation.
Powerful example in fighting BDS, Sa'ar says
Sa'ar told the delegation that each of them has the ability to set a personal and powerful example in fighting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement by turning it on its head.
"Instead of boycotting Israel, promote engagement with Israel. Instead of divesting from Israel, promote investments in Israel. And instead of sanctioning the only Jewish state, speak out clearly against those who recycle age-old hatred in modern form."

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867559

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