Israeli Ambassador and Members of Congress Launch Coretta Scott King Forest Campaign
April 26, 2007

The Embassy of Israel is proud to announce the dedication of a forest in the northern Galilee in the memory of Coretta Scott King. The dedication occurs as the country is in the process of replanting thousands of trees destroyed during last year's war with Hezbollah.

Israel's Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor said the forest will comprise at least 10,000 trees and serve as a living memorial to King's legacy of peace and justice.

Above: Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Ambassador Sallai Meridor,
Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL), Rabbi Eric Lankin (JNF),
Pastor James Love (Faith Tabernacle Church) (Left to Right)

Ambassador Meridor was joined by Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Congressman Artur Davis (D-AL) and other leaders in launching the Coretta Scott King Forest Campaign for Israel's Galilee region. The ceremony brought together a strong coalition of Jewish and forestation groups.

The tree planting ceremony took place on April 26th at the Faith Tabernacle Church in Washington, DC. Occurring the day following Israel's Independence Day and one day prior to American Arbor Day, the event marked the special reforestation effort for Biriya Forest, a section of which will be replanted in the late Mrs. King's memory.

Destroyed by Hezbollah's Katyusha rockets last summer, part of Biriya Forest will be renamed the Coretta Scott King Forest, commemorating her commitment to peace and justice. This noble commitment is shared by all Israeli citizens seeking to rebuild the Northern Galilee after last year's war, which destroyed over two million trees covering thousands of acres of forest.

Israel's forestation efforts help the entire region. Far from greening Israel alone, the hundreds of millions of trees planted in Israel over the past century have provided environmental benefits that know no borders.

The Coretta Scott King Forest Campaign partners include the Embassy of Israel, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Hillel, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Jewish National Fund, the Casey Trees Endowment and the Alliance for Community Trees.

The Casey Trees Endowment donated the cherry tree planted during the ceremony.