Residents Clash With Tractors Over Memorial Grove in Israeli Moshav
Dozens of residents of Tzur Moshe, a moshav in the Lev HaSharon Regional Council, confronted tractor operators attempting to cut down trees in the "Fallen Soldiers Grove" on Monday. The residents claim that the Agricultural Association Committee and the council decided to build four paddle tennis courts on the grove's land without prior notification or consultation. By the end of the day, some trees were relocated and two were cut down, but the dispute remains unresolved.
The Fallen Soldiers Grove was established about 90 years ago to honor moshav members who died in Israel's wars, featuring a memorial corner with their names. The grove also hosts a youth movement branch and a futsal court built in recent years. The conflict arose between the Agricultural Association Committee, which manages the moshav's lands, and the local committee responsible for daily community life. Residents say the decision to uproot trees and build paddle courts came as a shock, with no opportunity to appeal.
Local committee member Hali Grantstein told ynet that the association informed them in February about plans to replace the futsal court with paddle courts. Residents only learned more details after a fence was erected around the grove and they visited the regional council engineer's office. Grantstein added that the project’s developer is linked to a senior council official, calling the process "illogical" and vowing to stop it, emphasizing the grove's symbolic importance.
Residents report that the association has gradually encroached on the grove over the years, initially allowing a coffee cart and youth activities, but now risking the loss of the memorial. Neighbor Omar said the move was sudden and lacked transparency, with no time to organize opposition. He described the cutting and moving of 11 trees since morning as "theft" and expressed a desire to preserve the moshav's pastoral character.
Several confrontations occurred between residents and tractor operators, temporarily halting work, which resumed despite protests. Police were present at times. Lev HaSharon council officials stated the tree removal is legal, supported by permits including from the regional forester and an agronomist overseeing the project. They clarified the land is owned by the Agricultural Association, which leases it to the developer, and the council has no authority to stop the project.
The council also said the local committee was involved and informed throughout the process, citing a March site visit and official meetings. A June 19 WhatsApp message to residents announced work commencement but did not mention tree removal. The council stressed its commitment to community dialogue and said the regional council head requested a temporary work freeze to allow further discussions.
