ARIEL SHARON IN PARIS: A SUCCESS

Ariel Sharon's visit to Paris was unanimously declared positive. The French media, who had been giving the Israeli Prime Minister the image of a brutal and obstinate warlord, now see in Sharon the only hope of progress in the Middle East. Concluding his French visit with a meeting with the Jewish community, he renewed his call for French Jews to come and settle in Israel, affirming that this had nothing to do with anti-Semitism in France.

The interview between President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was cordial, according to the French press, which even talks of warmth. In a relaxed atmosphere, Ariel Sharon called Jacques Chirac “one of the greatest leaders in this world”, thanking him for his “precious help” towards a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For his part, the President of the Republic hailed the “historic decision” to withdraw from Gaza. France considers this withdrawal to be “an opportunity that cannot be afforded to be missed” and affirms that it “stands alongside the Israeli and Palestinian peoples” to re-launch the "roadmap".

Jacques Chirac proposed the creation of a France-Israel foundation, destined to “bringing the societies of both countries closer”.

The Israeli Prime Minister concluded his visit to Paris by meeting leaders of the Jewish community. Nissim Zvili, Israeli ambassador in Paris, opened the dialogue. Concluding his mission in France, the ambassador highlighted the devotion to Israel of the French Jewish community and how it had supported him throughout his mission.

Roger Cukierman, president of the CRIF (see full report below), said he was “delighted” by the presence of Ariel Sharon, “a man who has known how to wage war and who has become a man of peace.” A man who, today, symbolises the will of the Israeli people to achieve sustainable peace with the Palestinian people.

Joseph Sitruk, France's Chief Rabbi, said he had never doubted of a French-Israeli reconciliation. He made two requests of the Israeli Prime Minister: to preserve the unity of the Jewish people around the common denominator that is Israel, to preserve the identity of the Jewish people and of the values that established it as a people. He then prayed for the protection of the Prime Minister.

Ariel Sharon referred to the strong link between Israel and the Jewish people in the context of a common past and future. “French Jews have always been a very important partner, always supporting Israel, especially during the waves of terror attacks. The people in Israel are grateful for that. Thank you", said Sharon. “I am returning to Israel after a particularly successful visit”. President Chirac, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Foreign Affairs Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy had shown their “friendship” and “understanding” towards Israel. Both countries seem to agree with regard to many strategic issues, according to the Prime Minister.

Touching on the issue of terrorism, Sharon affirmed that “it is not only Israel's problem” since “waves of cruelty and bloodshed" have taken place around the world. He calls upon “the enlightened world to join forces against Islamic terrorism”.

France has played a significant role in the international community, especially when resolution 1559 of the United Nations' Safety Council was adopted with regard to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon or to nuclear weapons in Iran. Ariel Sharon highlighted the good understanding on the part of Jacques Chirac, who knows the seriousness of the dangers and who takes the appropriate measures.

He also highlighted the quality of President Chirac's action in terms of fighting against anti-Semitism, where France can serve as a model for other European countries.

“I am Jewish, and this is the most important thing for me”, continued Sharon. “My primary concern is the future of the Jewish people. What will become of it in 30, 300 or 3000 years?” was his question, answering that “the future can only be guaranteed by a strong State of Israel. Never again will we be defenceless victims. Never again will Jews depend upon a hostile world", reminds Ariel Sharon, insisting upon the fact that "Israel is the only country in the world where Jews have the right to defend themselves". During his various international political encounters, he has voiced the following message: “Israel alone can be the judge of its security, with no compromise, either now or ever.”

For Ariel Sharon, the principal means of ensuring the survival of the Jewish people is alyah (emigrating to Israel). He calls one million Jews to emigrate to Israel in the next fifteen years. He adds that the future of the Jewish people also depends upon the democratic character of the State of Israel. “The disengagement plan answers this need.” This plan for withdrawal “follows a terrible but vital decision for the future of Israel”.

With particular thanks for Roger Cukierman, who “always stands in the breach to defend the Jewish community”, Ariel Sharon concluded with a strong message: “United, we have overcome all obstacles, divided, we have endured all defeats."

President Cukierman first of all welcomed Prime Minister Sharon.
“To welcome you in Paris is an exceptional privilege for the largest Jewish community in Europe. You have been willing to afford us a few moments of your very precious time, while you carry on your shoulders such responsibility at a crucial time for the future of the State of Israel.

I would have wished you to allow us to organise a large popular celebration in your honour in Paris, to be attended by thousands of French Jews.

Your timetable did not allow for this.

It will be for your next visit!

Prime Minister, we are very simply delighted.

Delighted by your presence, for we greatly respect the man that you are,

- A man who has led all the struggles for the survival of Israel since the State of Israel was created.

- A man who, in 1973, during the Kippur war, was able to galvanise his troops and avoid the worst.

- A man whose name and honour was attacked in many countries, including in France, and who has known how to resist slander and demonisation.

- A man who has known how to wage war and who has become a man of peace. A man who, today, symbolises the will of the Israeli people to achieve sustainable peace with the Palestinian people.

- A statesman who, aware of his responsibilities, is ready to make painful sacrifices to bring peace to the Israeli people and to the Palestinian people.

We are delighted today, because you were invited to France by the President of the Republic and because you accepted this invitation. Not so long ago, an official visit to France was not very obvious.

We are delighted by the spectacular success of your visit to France.

It seems a new page is being written between France and Israel. This has to be the result of your personal action, of your political initiatives, of your diplomacy, and I want to salute the role of your Ambassador in Paris. It is probably also due in small measure to the influence of the Jewish community, which as you know has a strong attachment to Israel.

As French citizens, we rejoice in this progress, even though we continue to demand that France denounce and combat all organisations and all States that support terrorism anywhere in the world, and especially when they are in the Middle East.

We are delighted by your presence, because we love the State of Israel, and the people of Israel,

because Israel is the land of our fathers,
because our prayers have turned to Jerusalem for two thousand years,

because Zionism has, in the 20th century, enabled the resurrection of a Jewish State on the land where the history of our people was born,

because Israel, where over half of the total Jewish population in the world live, is the ideal place of eternal protection of the Jews, of their memory, of their values.

For some, the attachment to Israel can be experienced only in Israel. For others, this is not seen as a necessity. Our strong feelings for Israel do not in any way exclude strong feelings also for France, where Jews have lived for 2000 years. We believe that the choice of the country in which each one wishes to build one's future is an eminently personal choice. This choice does not in any way harm the intensity of the bonds between us.

Prime Minister, you have accepted to come to France a few days ahead of a major event for your country. We want to see in this visit a return of the friendship that united France and Israel at the start of Israel's recent history.

We want to see in your brave initiative for withdrawal from Gaza a determining openness towards the sustainable peace we dream of every day.

Long live the friendship between France and Israel.
Am Israel Hai!”