The Olive Tree Road of Israel: Israel's secret UNESCO treasure

• Author: YITZHAK ELDAN
• Date: 07 January 2021
• Published date: 07 January 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

In regular years, the harvest season is accompanied by an "Olive Days Festival" that includes tours of the olive groves, participation in the harvest, olive oil tasting and culinary workshops.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the festivities, as it did many aspects of life. The Olive Festival was canceled. The olive harvest focuses mainly on the economic side, as the olive sector is an important agricultural industry where many find their livelihood. But, alas, this year the olive yield is low and farmers are already looking ahead to the 2021 season, which is expected to be much better.

Although the Upper Galilee is the best-known area for olive trees, they can be found all over the country, including in the Negev.

The olive tree is an integral part of the landscape of Israel and of the Mediterranean countries. Its cultural significance as a universal peace symbol and its economic importance has led two important international institutions – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Council of Europe – to adopt resolutions that gave the olive tree an international status.

IN UNESCO, a resolution was adopted in 2003 to establish a Mediterranean Olive Tree Road, with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue, peace and reconciliation between the countries along the route. The decision called for all countries on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to develop their own olive tree road, also as a sector of economic importance.

On May 13, 2006, the Council of Europe, the body where all European countries are members, adopted a similar resolution establishing the Olive Tree Road as a major cultural route.

As Israel's ambassador to both UNESCO and the Council of Europe, I had the privilege of being involved in the discussions regarding this Road, and in the adoption of both resolutions.

In UNESCO I was involved in a political debate with the PLO representative, who accused Israel of damaging the Palestinian olive groves. In the end, the Olive Tree Road resolution was adopted unanimously without the divisive anti-Israel allegations.

When I finished my diplomatic mission abroad, I returned to Israel, where I was nominated as the State of Israel's chief of protocol. I already knew that part of my time would be dedicated to the establishment of the Olive Tree Road of Israel as part of the Mediterranean Olive Tree Road.

The first person I approached was the director general of the Olive Council of Israel, Amin Salman...