The pardess: an Israeli symbolic landscape

One of the most significant symbolic landscapes of the Zionist revival in Israel is the pardess - the citrus grove. The particular landscape of citrus groves in Israel conveys both religious symbolism and modern secular nationalistic values. The Israelis' images of the citrus grove landscape are reflected in the iconic use of this landscape in a variety of cultural expressions, from children's literature to advertising. Economic and political forces are increasingly threatening and destroying vast areas of citrus groves in the centre of Israel. In the wake of massive construction and development, this essay describes the cultural values that are being challenged by urbanization.