US Ambassador Mike Herzog Honors Bibas Family with Memorial Tree in Israel

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog participated in a memorial ceremony at the Yogev moshav on Thursday to honor the Bibas family, where a memorial tree was planted in memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, who were killed. The event was part of the My Tree in Israel initiative, which connects global supporters of Israel with local farmers through tree adoptions to support agriculture and the local economy. During the ceremony, Ambassador Herzog expressed condolences to Yarden Bibas and emphasized that the world prayed for the family, stressing the importance of remembering the horrors of October 7.

The ambassador also visited a local olive oil press at the moshav, where he learned about the production process and shared that he annually purchases olive oil bottles as personal gifts for friends during holidays. He updated the plaque on a tree he had previously adopted, changing the title from "Governor Herzog" to "Ambassador Herzog," and adopted another tree in honor of his daughter, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Another poignant moment occurred when Avi Harush, father of commando fighter Reef Harush who was killed in Gaza in April 2024, presented a memorial tree dedicated to his son. Harush shared photos and stories from his visits to the site, expressing a sense that his son is "happy." The event highlighted both personal loss and ongoing support for Israel's resilience and agricultural heritage.