Atatürk Forest

Atatürk Forest is a forest named for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, in the southern area of Mount Carmel in Israel.

History

The forest was established in 1953 by Turkish Jews who had immigrated to Israel. Trees were planted on what was a barren mountain. The opening ceremony was attended by Israeli president Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and Turkish Ambassador Şefket İstinyeli who both also planted a tree. A plaque at the site reads: Photos taken at the event show Turkish women standing in front of a plaque.Up until the 1970s, Turks who visited the forest and planted a tree there would receive a certificate.
There was a large fire on Mount Carmel in 2010 but Atatürk Forest, on the south side of the summit, was unharmed.
The forest has a recreation area and bicycle paths,as well as memorials to the martyred.