Flower power – IDF lone soldiers plant tulip bulbs sent with love from Dutch Christians friends of Israel

The incongruent images of both weapons and flowers stir recollections of American hippies putting carnations in the barrel of a gun to protest the Vietnam War. There is something powerful in the idea of a flower in the face of a war, and more than anything, it symbolizes the yearning for peace.

While the red anemones of the Nova Festival site testify to the violence that took place, epitomizing grief and hope, now a shipment of tulip bulbs has arrived from the Netherlands, through Christians for Israel International (C4I), to be planted in support of Israel’s lone soldiers.

Most of those serving in the IDF are born and raised in Israel, but there are others who have come from the Jewish diaspora overseas and are here without their family, known as “lone soldiers.” The challenges of serving in the army are immense at the best of times, but those here without a family nearby need all the support they can get.

Last Sunday, C4I organized a special event to express solidarity with these lone soldiers in a tangible way, according to Ynet News.

Around 30 lone soldiers recently arrived from North America and are settling into Kibbutz Hannaton in the Galilee as part of the Tzofim Garin Tzabar program, preparing for enlistment. The C4I initiative was designed to express solidarity with the young soldiers and their courageous decision to come and serve the Jewish state.

At the Hannaton Educational Center, members of C4Israel, together with the soldiers themselves, set about planting hundreds of tulip bulbs sent by Dutch supporters of the organization.

“We believe in encouraging Jewish people who dedicate their lives to building the State of Israel, especially those who have taken major, meaningful steps in their lives to be here,” Leon Meijer, the organization’s executive director, said. 

“It is important for us to show solidarity with young Jewish people who are committed to this mission. Projects like the one at Hannaton support young people making a challenging, life-changing step, and caring for them is a core value for us.”

The international organization was founded in the Netherlands in 1979, with the conviction that all Christians should love and support the Jewish people, no matter what their denomination. Today, the C4I has become a global movement with over 150,000 supporters united in their love for the Jewish people, support for the nation of Israel, and in collective repentance for the Jewish suffering at the hands of the church throughout history, according to their website.

In line with the belief that God is still faithful to all His covenants with and promises to the nation of Israel, C4I advocates for the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland in many ways, including supporting those making aliyah (immigrating) to Israel and coming to serve as lone soldiers. 

“It means a lot that people feel connected to this land the way we do and to our shared mission to make it flourish,” said one of the lone soldiers who will soon enlist in an elite IDF unit. “I believe in the restoration of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, and it is deeply meaningful to know we have partners in this dream from so many places. That’s why I came here, to be part of something bigger than myself.” 

Rabbi Yoav Ende, executive director of the Hannaton Educational Center, pointed to the events of Oct. 7 as having stirred new commitment among many Jewish people overseas to come and serve alongside the people of Israel.

“For them, this is a conscious decision to become part of the social and historical fabric of the Jewish people,” he told Ynet News. “Many stood on the front lines and fought bravely alongside their Israeli-born peers. Some fell in battle, far from their biological families, yet embraced by their second family – the people of Israel.”

While life for lone soldiers can be lonely and difficult, Ende assured that the program established at Kibbutz Hannaton, created in cooperation with Keren Kayemet LeIsrael–JNF, JNF USA and others, endeavored to give as much support as possible. 

“Here, our soldiers are not alone,” he said. “They are part of a program designed to give them tools for meaningful integration into Israeli society and for contributing not only during their service but afterward as well. We see them as the next generation of leadership and strive to provide what they need to succeed.”

As the lone soldiers settle into their new lives, preparing for a future in Israel, the tulips will blossom into an array of colors early next year. If you believe the florists, each tulip color has a special meaning, such as love, forgiveness, new beginnings, friendship, and respect.