Coffins on their way to Israel
צילום: זיו קורן
Remains of Herzl's children on way to Israel
Despite Herzel's expressed request in his will, remains of his children have not yet been buried in Israel, due mostly to pressure of prominent religious leaders. Tuesday, 76 years after their death, their coffins are on their way to be buried in Jerusalem
The coffins of the two children of Theodor (Binyamin Ze’ev) Herzl were taken out of the old Jewish cemetery in Bordeaux, France and are making their way to Israel where they will be buries next to their father.
The two died in September 1930. The daughter Paulina died of an overdose of sedatives at the age of 40, and her brother Hans took his own life one day after his sister's death at the age of 39.
Despite Herzl's expressed request to bury his children in Israel, it has not been granted until now, mostly due to pressures of prominent religious leaders. Herzl's third daughter perished during the Holocaust and her burial place remains unknown.
Coffins of Hans and Paulina Herzl in France (Photo: Ziv Koren)
The coffins were placed on the gravesite in Bordeaux, where a ceremony was held in their honor. Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski, Israeli Ambassador to UNESCO Rabbi Lod Maman and dignitaries from the local Jewish Community all participated in the ceremony.
Bielski spoke at the ceremony and said that "we came here today to do historic and Zionistic justice. We are closing a circle. Herzl was not only ahead of his time, but also donated most of his money to the State of Israel and did could not care for his children. Today we are fulfilling his wishes."
At the end of the ceremony, the coffins were transferred to the airport and will arrive in Israel Tuesday night. Wednesday, 76 years after their death, the children of Herzl will be laid to rest next to their father at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
