'Zionist response to war': Jewish National Fund to plant half a million seedlings marking Tu B’Shvat holiday

Marking this year's Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shvat, celebrating the "New Year of the Trees," the Jewish National Fund announced it will plant over half a million seedlings.

The organization said it has already distributed over 550,000 saplings from its nurseries nationwide, with numbers expected to continue growing throughout the coming week.

"After two years of war, the hundreds of thousands of Israelis going out into the field and planting hundreds of thousands of saplings prove that our bond to this land cannot be severed. This is the most resounding Zionist and national response: amid the challenges, we choose to deepen our roots, grow anew, and believe in the future of the State of Israel," said Eyal Ostrinsky, Chairman of KKL-JNF.

Over the past weekend, thousands of Israelis ventured out, with high turnout continuing today (Sunday, the eve of Tu BiShvat), to participate in KKL-JNF’s activities from the north to the south of Israel.

"This year’s Tu BiShvat events carry added meaning as Israel continues its post-war rehabilitation, with communities emphasizing resilience, renewal, and regrowth. Nurturing the connection to the land is especially significant to Israelis during this time of national healing, as reflected by the thousands of participants thus far," KKL-JNF stated.

Ostrinsky added: "The record-breaking planting numbers and tremendous public response we're seeing this year go far beyond Tu BiShvat tradition, they are an expression of overcoming the difficult times we've endured and choosing life – just as Tu B'Shvat plantings symbolize."