Paris, France
Photo: AP
Ben-Gurion. Soon in the City of Lights
Photo: GPO
Ben-Gurion Square to be inaugurated in Paris
French capital decides to name central city square after Israel's first prime minister. President Peres to attend inauguration ceremony on March 13
The Paris Municipality has decided to name a big square in the city center after Israel's
first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
President Shimon Peres was personally invited to attend the square's inauguration ceremony by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, and will arrive in the French capital on March 13, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily has learned.
The square, which has a large fountain at its center, is located on the banks of the Seine River opposite the Quai Branly Museum. A statue of Ben-Gurion is expected to be placed in the square.
The idea to name the square after Israel's first prime minister was presented to Peres two years ago, but he did not believe that it would materialize and was very surprised to receive an invitation to attend the ceremony.
Peres will visit Paris not just as the president of the State of Israel, but also as Ben-Gurion's assistant.
"President Peres has been the most famous and popular Israeli figure in France for decades," says Israeli Ambassador to Paris Daniel Shek. "His personal connection to David Ben-Gurion makes him the natural choice to inaugurate the site dedicated to Israel's first prime minister."
