Yeah, we've got these in Beersheba (south of Israel). The only tree my ten year old won't climb. They've also got really interesting cotton-like fruits, though I'm not brave enough to taste them.

Sounds like the nightmare tree I had to deal with as well. I never did find out what it was. Does the honeylocust produce a bunch of red berries? My dad used to get mad at me as a teen when I’d be lazy and not pick up the fallen limbs from this tree and puncture the tractor tires. It was to the sole reason I became very proficient at using the tire repair kit.