ISRAEL, APRIL 1, 2023 - In a world first, Israeli researchers from Jewish National Fund-USA’s agriculture R&D center in the Arava have cultivated a new type of tree capable of transmitting Wi-Fi internet signals.
The team of researchers, led by Professor Etz Bark, discovered that by refracting Wi-Fi signals from a base station off the tree trunks of a specially bred cultivar of the Leafius Thizzisajokeius species, it would be possible to turn thousands of square miles of forests into Wi-Fi hotspots, providing internet speeds of up to 613 MB per second.
An example of a Wi-Fi enabled sapling
Reflecting on the biological breakthrough, Professor Bark remarked, “if only this discovery was made sooner, can you imagine how many more trees humanity would’ve planted? Before [this discovery], trees were only known to provide the earth with oxygen and clean air essential for life. But now that we can use trees for something people really need, like Wi-Fi, I think we will see new forests emerging throughout the world.”
Chief Israeli arborist, Myrtle Sawbranch, lauded the efforts of the Jewish National Fund-USA-backed researchers, saying, “we all know that Israel was one of the few countries to enter the 21st Century with a net gain in trees. And now, thanks to Professor Bark’s discovery, we will surely see other countries emulate our historic afforestation efforts.”
However, skeptics of the “discovery” have called on the public to note the April 1 release date of the announcement which coincides with April Fools’ Day.
For more information or to plant (non-Wi-Fi enabled) trees in Israel, visit jnf.org/trees.
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Media Contact:
Stefan Oberman
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As the leading philanthropic movement for Israel and driven by a 122-year-old mission, the organization creates high quality of life opportunities for communities in Israel’s north and south, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, Research & Development, and heritage site preservation in addition to operating a fully accredited study abroad experience at its Alexander Muss High School in Israel.