Stormy weather overshadows Israel’s ‘New Year of Trees’
An advancing winter storm forced Israelis to cancel Tu B’Shevat celebrations or move them indoors on Monday.
From left, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion planting a tree on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov dedicated to victims of a terror attack on Feb 6, 2023. Photo by Amos Ben Gershon/GPO
The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat marks the beginning of the trees’ new fruit-bearing cycle. The holiday is marked by planting trees, eating fruits associated with the land of Israel, and events stressing ecological awareness.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion planted an olive tree in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov near a synagogue where seven people were killed in a Palestinian terror attack.
Amid heavy winds, a tent was set up for the families of the victims, police and emergency responders, and other dignitaries.
“This tree is a tree of life – they come to sow death and we plant life. A few days ago they killed seven of our loved ones, and here we are, a few days later, putting down roots in our country,” Netanyahu said.
