Tel Aviv's French community shows solidarity for Paris victims
Recent immigrants from France gather in Tel Aviv to mourn the victims of the attack on kosher supermarket in Paris suburb.
A representative for the French community in Tel Aviv as well as a representative of the French Embassy in Israel were present at the event, along with Jews who have emigrated from France to Israel.
Alexei, 20, immigrated to Israel from Paris two and a half years ago: "It is a sad feeling that something like this has happened in France and that the government is not prepared for these types of things. People read about what happened in the newspaper but do not speak out about anti-Semitism. My family still lives there and does not feel safe, even though they live in a good neighborhood. Yesterday they even thought not to go to synagogue."
Sandra, an immigrant from France, has been living in Israel for a year and a half: "We can feel that the situation there is very difficult and scary, but the problem is that not everyone can immigrate to Israel, there are people who have their work there. What is happening in France is not just a problem for Jews, but everyone's problem. I pray that more people will be able to come (to Israel)."
Araya from Bat Yam has lived in Israel for two years after leaving Paris. "My friends in France say that there is a feeling that immigrating to Israel has become trendy. But it is still possible to live (in France) in security and not everyone can immigrate. The French prime minister must work and think of the security of France. What happened yesterday is exactly what happened in Toulouse two years ago. This week police officers were killed also, this means the situation has not changed. France has not found the way to manage these things, how to fight terror," said Araya.
During the ceremony in Tel Aviv, the head Rabbi of the community of French nationals now living in Tel Aviv, Eytan Sitbon, said: "There are occurrences in life that are private tragedies, but what happened yesterday was not a private incident. The entire nation of Israel was hurt, and because of this we are all here and everyone must wake up and see themselves as though our brother was wounded there and build upon this pain."
Eitan Schwartz, the advisor for foreign affairs for Tel Aviv's mayor, said during the ceremony: "This attack does not represent French society but rather a radical portion that must be eradicated. Just as the mayors of Paris and Toulouse knew to call us when we were hurt, we are showing our solidarity with them today."
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Eli Ben-Dahan said at the ceremony: "It is very sad for all of us. One the one hand, we must strengthen the Jews of France but on the other hand, I call on everyone who can to make Aliyah to Israel, the only place that is secure for Jews."
