Dozens of trees competed for the title of Israel's national tree in a contest hosted by the Jewish National Fund and Israel Hayom to mark 120 years to the nongovernmental organization's founding.
Among the finalists to make it to the final round of voting were: the date palm, the Mt. Tabor oak, the Mediterranean cypress, the eucalyptus, the fig, and the terebinth. Despite the heavy competition, the one to win Israelis' hearts and be crowned the winner of the online poll was the olive tree.
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Of the 147,729 votes on the day of the competition, 32.94% were given for the olive tree. Second place went to the Mt. Tabor oak, and the palm tree rounded up the top three.
The olive branch is a recurring theme that appears in many of the State of Israel's official symbols, including the official emblem of a menorah with two olive branches. The Book of Genesis describes a white dove carrying an olive branch to Noah's Ark as a symbol of the end of the Great Flood. This image has gone on to become a symbol of peace.
JNF'S National Forestry Officer and Director of Orchards, Natural Woodlands and Grazing Suhail Zeidan noted, "The olive tree is very impressive, and the general public has a spiritual connection to this tree."
Some of the largest olive trees in the Mediterranean Basin can be found in Israel. The oldest olive tree in Israel is believed to be around 1,000 years old and is located in Shfaram in the Lower Galilee.
"This tree is one of the most important symbols of ancient settlement and agriculture in the land of Israel. The cultivation of olives in the land of Israel has been proven in ancient history from the days of the First Temple, when its fruits were used to produce oil, to the present day, including a wealth of evidence discovered in archaeological excavations in many places such as Masada, Tel Gezer, and others."
JNF Chairman Avraham Duvdevani said, "I'm glad the olive tree was selected as the national tree. It is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. It is one of the seven species [listed in the Bible as being special products of the Land of Israel] that was praised in the Land of Israel and beyond."
He thanked the hundreds of thousands of voters that took part in its selection and wished all of Israel a Happy Tu B'shvat.
The agricultural holiday, the Jewish version of Arbor Day, often referred to as the "New Year of Trees," has its roots in the Mishna. After the founding of the state in 1948, the holiday became popular, with many institutions and schools marking the day with tree-planting ceremonies and other events that celebrate nature.
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