As Israel prepared to honour Memorial Day with solemn remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, a wave of fast-moving, devastating wildfires broke out in the Jerusalem area, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The scale of the damage is among the worst in Israel’s recent history.

Over 20 square kilometres of land—equivalent to more than 3,000 football pitches—have been scorched. Of this, an estimated 12 square kilometres of forest have been severely damaged, including areas nurtured for decades through JNF’s worldwide afforestation efforts.

Among the areas affected are:

• JNF Canada Park, 60% has been entirely burned
• Parts of the Anava Forest, Martyrs Forest, Shoresh Forest and Eshtaol Forest which was planted in the 1950s by British Jews in honour of President Dr. Chaim Weizmann
• Kfira Nature Reserve, where nearly 3 square km—around 460 football pitches—have been destroyed in the Jerusalem Corridor

These are not just trees—they are living legacies of dedication, partnership, and hope. Generations have invested in planting and protecting these forests as a symbol of resilience and connection to the land of Israel.

At JNF UK, we are deeply moved by the scale of destruction—but we are not standing still. In response, we are launching a campaign to fund the restoration and renewal of Israel’s forests.

Working with our partners on the ground, expert teams are already on-site assessing the damage and initiating the recovery process. Our immediate focus is practical support and long-term restoration. Funds raised will go directly to critical efforts: clearing damaged areas to ensure public safety, repairing infrastructure, supporting local forestry crews, and—when conditions permit—replanting and revitalising the affected forests.