Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development

May 2015

Welcome to the KKL-JNF Solidarity Mission! Hundreds of KKL-JNF delegates, representing 30 countries the world over, have congregated here to celebrate 114 years of cooperation for the benefit of Israel and its people as well as 67 years of the State of Israel. The itinerary has been tailored to each delegation's needs and interests, accompanied by a descriptive tour page with focus on KKL-JNF sites and projects.

Israel's size is one of the salient features that makes her unique. What takes many days to explore in other countries is accomplished here in just a few. Forests, streams, urban and rural landscapes and the extreme desert are in close proximity to each other and offer many sites for your enjoyment. You will experience various and contrasting physical and cultural landscapes, flavors and aromas, the periphery and the modern metropolises of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where heritage, history and archaeology merge.

During our mission we will be visiting many KKL-JNF change-generating projects which impact positively on Israel's population. They have all been made possible by the generous donations of KKL-JNF friends around the world, who, through their support, are catalysts for the country's social, economic and environmental changes.

We thank you for your solidarity and for joining us in helping create a sustainable future for Israel!

Wishing you an enriching and enjoyable tour, Bon Voyage! The China-Israel Friendship Forest in the Forest The China–Israel Friendship Forest was dedicated in the northern region's Lahav Forest on Tu Bishvat (the Jewish holiday celebrating the new year for trees), on Janauary 16, 2014. The Lahav Forest is one of the largest planted forests in Israel and serves as the "green lung" of the northern Negev. It is located 10 km north of Be'er Sheva and extends over 2500 hectares. Within this impressive forest, approximately 140 hectares have been allocated to the Israel-China Friendship Forest, adjacent to and south of the entrance to the and Lahav kibbutzim. Since 1952, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, caretaker of the country's precious forests, has been planting trees in this Negev desert forest, which receives an annual average rainfall of 280 mm. In addition to attracting visitors from throughout the country, Lahav plays a vital role as a community forest for all the region's residents, including those of the nearby kibbutzim, the towns of Lehavim and , and the capital of the Negev, Be'er Sheva. Within the forest, KKL-JNF has developed picnic sites and a network of bicycle trails through beautiful landscapes and archaeological remains, providing a safe riding environment far from busy roads.

Be'er Sheva River Park Donated by KKL-JNF USA, Canada, Germany, Spain KKL-JNF's development of the Be'er Sheva River Park is creating a turnaround for Be'er Sheva and its environs, transforming the site from an environmental hazard into the city's green lung and an attractive venue in the heart of the stark desert landscape for local people and tourists. The ecological park covers an area of some 450 ha, including 8 km along both banks of the seasonal riverbed. Ambitious in scope, the project promises to boost the city's economy in addition to contributing to its residents' quality of life. The park is a combination of recreation spots and historical and archaeological sites, featuring Abraham's Well, Bet Eshel, Montreal Bell Park, an ancient farmstead, a botanical-zoological garden, and a conference center, all planned according to the principles of universal design. The park's Amphitheater Complex has already put Be'er Sheva on Israel's cultural map, with prestigious concerts.

Teddy Park Donated by KKL-JNF Canada Teddy Kollek, Jerusalem's mythological mayor, (elected seven terms, serving from 1965 to 1993), created parks, gardens, promenades, outdoor amphitheaters and shared urban spaces for all the residents of and visitors to Jerusalem. Teddy Park, located in Mitchell Park, is a fitting tribute to Teddy's vision of a thriving city with open spaces. The park is adjacent to the Old City, serving as an open air venue for community and cultural events. Tel Aviv – Ariel Sharon Park KKL-JNF is a partner in establishing Ariel Sharon Park, a 2000-acre (500-hectare) metropolitan park in Gush Dan. The Hiriya Landfill, in the heart of the park, has been rehabilitated and stabilized to create a complex of leisure facilities with varied environmental values that serve visitors from the greater Tel Aviv area and the rest of Israel, who enjoy guided tours at the site. A new entrance area, which will include a center for nature, history, birdwatching and biodiversity, is now being developed with the help of KKL-JNF. The biodiversity center's reservoir, surrounded by green trails for birding, has already been created. The planned, impressive entrance plaza will have shaded benches and pergolas, interspersed by bodies of water and colorful flowerbeds.

Ramle Biofilter Donated by KKL-JNF Mexico, Australia KKL-JNF, in cooperation with the city of Ramle and Monash University in Australia, is installing an innovative biofilter system along one of the city's main roads, where large amounts of contaminated urban runoff flow. The biofilter will collect, purify and reclaim the runoff, which will then be used for greening the city and recovering Israel's coastal aquifer. The system will be monitored, tested and the data analyzed individually and in comparison with the other two biofilter systems currently operating in Israel.

Og Recycled Water Reservoirs Donated by KKL-JNF France Among the environmental problems facing Israel today is the shortage of water, aggravated by the deteriorating quality of existing water resources, which, in addition, are overused. One of the solutions to the water problem is the use of recycled wastewater for irrigation, both reducing pollution and providing a water source for agriculture. KKL-JNF is a leader in the field of unconventional solutions for the water problem in Israel and has built hundreds of recycled wastewater reservoirs. These reservoirs are the final stage in a complex process of purifying sewage, subsequently reused for irrigation. Nahal Og, one of the largest wadis in the northern Judean Desert, drains the mountain ridges east of Jerusalem. This floodwater, along with effluents from the region's communities, is impounded in the two Og Reservoirs. The treated water is used to best advantage by irrigating agriculture, saving potable water for domestic use, while reducing the high cost of water for the region's farmers. Ne'ot HaKikar and En Tamar – Desert Eco Park Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), together with the Tamar Regional Council, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Mekorot-Israel National Water Company and the Ministry of Agriculture, is planning an ecological park at the entrance to Ne'ot HaKikar and En Tamar that will serve as a regional tourism attraction. The park will be developed using local materials that integrate into the desert surroundings, and landscaping will be carried out with local tree and plant species. Park elements include an ecological pool that will simulate the wetlands that once covered the area.

KKL Resources & Development Division Projects & Marketing Department Jerusalem 2015

Photos: KKL Photo Archive, Jerusalem

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