A NEW START TO RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND ISRAEL

The 400 guests were welcomed by Arie Bensemhoun, who recalled that “at CRIF we have always been the ardent supporters of this friendly relationship”. The regional president of CRIF recalled the misunderstandings, the criticisms and the betrayals. “It has taken us time, but today, in this shaky world, we have the confirmation that we were right.”


Seeking to affirm his determination to write “a new page”, Philippe Douste-Blazy insisted on the necessity of reinforcing the dialogue between France and Israel, through contacts at the level of civil society. The future France-Israel Foundation, announced during Ariel Sharon’s visit to France last July, will have as its goal to invent and build up “new synergies that will serve both peoples.” Hailing the withdrawal from Gaza as a “victory” for Israeli democracy. Philippe Douste-Blazy recalled that “the roadmap remains the point of reference for both parties and for the international community”.


Referring to the “insane” and “irresponsible” statements made by the Iranian President calling for the destruction of Israel, the head of French diplomacy reminded his audience that he had summoned Iran’s ambassador in Paris to express “France’s reprobation”.


Finally, Philippe Douste-Blazy, highlighted France’s “struggle” against the resurgence of anti-Semitism and underlined that the country was “in the forefront of international mobilisation”, something recognised by Jewish organisations and by the State of Israel.
Echoing Philippe Douste-Blazy’s speech, Silvan Shalom declared that “the relationship between France and Israel is continuously progressing” and that “France is an example and a model when it comes to the struggle against anti-Semitism.” He called for other European governments to draw their inspiration from Paris’s firmness.


Silvan Shalom condemned the warmongering projects of that “mad country” Iran, as also those of Syria which “continues to be a source of inspiration for terrorism in the Near East.”
Finally, Silvan Shalom spoke of the improved relations between Israel and the moderate Arab countries, requesting additional help from France.


In his concluding remarks, Roger Cukierman, took note of the 50% drop in the number of anti-Semitic acts with respect to the previous year and expressed “huge relief”. He credited the efforts deployed by the government, supported by the political class and civil society. According to the President of CRIF, the improved situation in the Near East and the way it is being treated in the media has also contributed to this drop. Roger Cukierman also took note of the “considerable change” of attitude in France with regard to Israel, symbolised by the “extraordinarily warm” welcome given to the Israeli Prime Minister during his visit to France. Optimistically, Roger Cukierman reckoned that: “We are sure that our children and grand-children would have every reason to be proud of being French and Jewish in the centuries to come.”

Several leaders, from CRIF and the Jewish community, were keen to take part in this banquet placed under the sign of renewed friendship. Among them, Haïm Musicant, General Director, Claude-Gérard Marcus and Serge Klugman, members of the Board, Martine Ouaknine, chair of the Nice-Côte d’Azur delegation and Albert Roche, chair of the Bordeaux Aquitaine delegation. Pierre Besnainou, president of CJE and Benjamin Abtan, president of UEJF, also took part in the evenings proceedings.