🌳 Mount Herzl 1958 🌳

David Ben Gurion Plants a Cedar tree in Jerusalem, 1958

In the 1950s, the hills surrounding Jerusalem were barren, rocky & unsuitable for farming; no natural woodland & long, dry summers. The landscape was bleak & desolate.

Israel’s leaders envisioned shaded forests, clean air, places to walk, breathe & restore the soul. With support from the Jewish National Fund, a vast planting campaign began in 1956. Within two years, one million trees had transformed the capital’s hillsides.

The photo captures Prime Minister David Ben Gurion planting a Lebanon cedar on Mount Herzl in February 1958, alongside Jerusalem’s mayor Gershon Agron & KKL’s Joseph Weitz. 

Ben Gurion understood that Jerusalem’s greatness would not rest on size or numbers, but on vision: a capital with universities, culture, science & renewal.

Today, those trees stand as living testimony to foresight & sacrifice  - a reminder of the price paid by our soldiers & families, & the responsibility of leaders to shape tomorrow.

Photo credit: KKL Archive

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