“We are walking because we love Israel and are connected to the land, and on the way we are also learning about the different projects of KKL France,” said Rueven Naamat, the KKL-JNF Emissary in France.
During a week filled with fascinating and challenging itineraries, members of the mission enjoyed Israeli nature and the awesome landscapes of the desert. “I love nature and enjoy walking, but when you are touring in Israel the feeling is different than in France or anywhere else in the world,” said Michel Hacker, President of KKL Lyons.
This was the eighth time Hacker was taking part in the Walk for Water, and he explained how special this trip is and why it makes him come back again and again. “We get to know the land of Israel better and get to places you never go to on standard tours in Israel,” he said.
For about half of the members of the mission, this was the first time they participated in the Walk for Water, among them Nicole Zentay from Marseilles, who said, “I have visited Israel many times in the past, but I wanted to discover new landscapes. I love nature and enjoy hiking very much.”
The first day of the trip began on the trails of
Timna Park, one of the greatest natural sites in southern Israel. In ancient times there were copper mines there, but these days the park is a tourist attraction with a variety of trails for walking and
cycling, camel rides and even boating in a manmade lake.
KKL-JNF has been developing the park with from the support its friends worldwide, among them from Germany and from the USA. KKL-JNF is now in the midst of building a new visitors center, an amphitheater for performances and an additional site for camping.
For further information, comments or permission please contact
Ahuva Bar-Lev
KKL-JNF – Information and Internet Department