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| Olive Tree - Israel's National Tree |
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| Olives |
National Symbols of Israel – National Tree
In
September 2007 the olive was elected as the National Tree of the State of
Israel, and as its official representative in the botanical exhibition “We Are
One World” held in Beijing.
The
olive won by a large margin over the Quercus Calliprinos in a poll conducted
among visitors of the popular Israeli website Ynet.
The
olive tree has held great significance in Biblical history. Olive oil was used
to keep the Menorah lit. It was also used to formulate the holy anointing oil.
Olive
oil and olives were for thousands of years in Biblical times, and still to this
day, used in cooking and stir fry, baking breads, preparing dips and sauces,
eating olives raw, and used in many other recipes. It is a dietary staple in
Israel and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
