This is the first of the “Touring with the Bible” trails dedicated as part of a joint project of KKL-JNF, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Industry & Trade. In the coming weeks, a second trail to be dedicated is The Saul Trail on Mount Gilboa , followed by the David and Goliath Trail in the Valley of Elah.

The purpose of the project is to enable the public to tour with a Bible in hand, as a tour guide, on a sign-posted trail combining nature, archeological sites and breath-taking scenery. The Samson Trail, from the Sculpture Route in the Tzora Forest , reaches Tel Tzora, where there is a grave traditionally attributed to Samson himself. It passes between forest trees, natural woodland and fruit trees. KKL-JNF invested much effort to connect the sites along the trail with verses from the Book of Judges, which are exhibited. For example, a large and impressive burnt tree marks the story of the burning of Philistine fields by torches attached to tails of foxes.

At the trail dedication ceremony, Yehiel Leket, KKL-JNF World Chairman, said that the Biblical pathways project connects the country and its scenery to the Jewish heritage. KKL-JNF is the most qualified to do this, as its work - safeguarding national lands, planting, developing and nurturing the quality of the environment - derives from Zionist ideology stating that Israel is the land of the Jewish People.

The Director-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Eli Cohen, and the Deputy Director-General, Moshe Rigal, thanked KKL-JNF for its dedicated work in developing tourist infrastructures. Eli Cohen stated that KKL-JNF expansion in this sphere would have continued cooperation from his Ministry. Mr. Rigal noted that our Biblical past is also a tourist attraction of the first order and expressed the hope that the project would grow to include some twenty trails country-wide.

Meir Weisel, Head of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, warmly thanked KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Tourism for the project, which contributes greatly to development of rural tourism in this area where there are many producers of wines and cheeses. “KKL-JNF is the greatest Green organization - easy to cooperate, aids vital development and raises no special difficulties, yet fights to protect the environment.”