'Justice for Lee' on Bastille Day
French ambassador's Bastille Day celebrations serve as backdrop for special kind of protest on behalf of hit and run victim Lee Zeituni
Bastille Day celebrations held at the French ambassador's residence in Jaffa on Thursday were interrupted by a different kind of protest.
A friend of the late Lee Zeituni who was killed in a hit and run in September 2011, projected a light display with the words "justice pour Lee" (justice for Lee) on the wall of the ambassador's house. "Today we did not come here for demonstrations, we are past that phase," Roi Peled told Ynet.
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France's national day was celebrated at the home of Ambassador Christophe Bigot with some 2,000 guests including President Shimon Peres, politicians, ministers and celebrities including Noam and Gilad Shalit.
'Justice pour Lee' (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Ambassador Bigot mentioned Lee Zeituni during the event and said that he was moved by the fact that her father agreed to accept his recommendation to file a complaint in France over his daughter's death.
"I thank him and know that he has made the right decision even though it is not easy," he noted. "And indeed, surprisingly, the French police decided yesterday to launch a criminal investigation against the killers of Lee Zituni. I have faith that the police will bring them to justice, and justice will be done."
The ambassador's statements were received with thundering applause from the audience.
In his speech the ambassador also said that he wanted to express his support and sympathy for the Syrian people and that "Bashar Assad must resign and go home."
President Peres also spoke at the event, making a comparison between the social protests in Tel Aviv and the French Revolution. He also said that "Israel has two major problems today, the Iranian nuclear problem and peace with the Palestinians. That is why our supreme goal must be peace; there is no substitute to peace."
Peres with Bigot (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Peres thanked Bigot for three wonderful years in Israel and said that he was sorry that Bigot was ending his term in the current year. Peres also thanked France for being the first state to stand by Israel and allow her to arm itself in order to defend itself.
"This is why I am meticulous about coming here every year. I thank France for those days and the deep friendship with Israel that has only grown stronger."
The justice for Lee campaign head quarters said they are still active in spite of promises made by various officials and will continue to keep a close eye on the situation until Lee's killers will be brought to justice.
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