On Friday, September 9, KKL-JNF inaugurated a recreation site in the memory of the victims of hostile acts in Eshtaol Forest. The site was inaugurated by Eli Cohen, secretary of the KKL-JNF board of directors, Meir Spiegler, chairman of Israel's national social security, Abie Moses, chairman of the victims of hostile acts organization, and chairman of victims of hostile acts representative organization, attorney Roei Cohen. The event was also attended by 80 members of bereaved families.
The site is located in a central spot, at the entrance to the KKL-JNF office compound near Road 44, and functions as a recreation site for the general public with playground facilities and picnic tables. The site will also be used as a meeting site for bereaved families, surrounded by natural landscape. The site was designed and made accessible by KKL-JNF for the benefit of the general public.
Anat Gold, manager of the central region at KKL-JNF: "KKL-JNF continues to embrace the bereaved families and commemorate their loved ones in its sites all across Israel. The hostile acts victims were murdered in cities and towns, in the country's civilian areas, in the long, continuous war for our existence. The design and establishment of the environmental and accessible site in a central and well-traveled forest as Eshtaol symbolizes our commitment to the memory of the victims. The site will bring happiness to the hearts of the families who lost their loved ones and the general public for years to come."
Abie Moses, chairman of the victims of hostile acts organization: "the opening of the site in the memory of the victims of hostile acts is a significant statement on behalf of KKL-JNF, that the heroes who were murdered over the sovereignty and existence of Israel will never be forgotten. I am glad that the site, with its recreation facilities, will reflect the continuation of life along with the pain and the loss. At the organization, we wish that millions of Israeli citizens, who will visit the site, will remember the victims of hostile acts."
Meir Spiegler, chairman of Israel's national social security: "Israel's national social security, which is in charge of supporting the bereaved families, from the moment of their loss, acts to commemorate their innocent loved ones who lost their lives. The development of the site by KKL-JNF brings together the commemoration with nature and recreation for the benefit of the residents of Israel. The State of Israel is fully devoted to the embrace of the bereaved families and the commemoration of their loved ones in every possible way. I congratulate the organization and KKL-JNF for collaborating on this commemoration project for generations to come. As the loved ones cannot be brought back, it is our duty to remember them forever.