Last month, kindergarten children from communities in the Eshkol, Sdot Negev and Ashkelon Coast regional councils planted about 150,000 tulip bulbs, together with volunteers from the Dutch-based organization CVI, Christians for Israel. The result has been striking, with public spaces across the area now covered in red, pink and orange carpets of flowers.
The planting, carried out in cooperation with the Tekuma Administration, is part of a Dutch initiative led by the organization, whose mission is to strengthen ties between Christians in Europe and Israel through delegations, public diplomacy and joint social projects.
Yohanan van der Ham, a representative of the Dutch organization, said the volunteers came to the Gaza border area to share Israel’s story. “We bring people from the Netherlands who want to meet the good people here, see the real picture and not rely only on what they see in the news,” he said.
Van der Ham added that the activities are meant to highlight friendship between nations. “The tulip is a Dutch symbol, but it has another meaning as well,” he said. “In the Book of Amos in the Bible, it is said that the roots of the Jewish people in this land cannot be uprooted. The tulip represents that idea, its bulb remains in the ground and after several weeks it blooms, bringing beauty and joy.”
Gur Katz, head of the settlement team at the Tekuma Administration, said the community-based planting allowed residents to take an active role in creating a better and more beautiful environment for Gaza border communities. “Seeing the region’s children take part in nurturing their surroundings was moving,” he said. “It reflects putting down roots and working toward the future of this place.”