TOP ISRAELI AND FRENCH LEADERS AT PRO ISRAEL RALLY

Israel's Vice Premier Shimon Peres and the Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz and CRIF's President Roger Cukierman were the keynote speakers of the rally.

Roger Cukierman said:

"I love Israel. We all gathered today because we love Israel, because we're pride to state it openly. And our pride is justified because the reasons to love Israel are numerous.

"Israel is the land where the language of our forefathers is reviving. Israel is the country where half of the Jewish population of the globe is living. Israel turned a desert into a garden, Israel knew how to withstand the attacks of a hostile environment, Israel knew how to overcome the hostility of so many neighbors who wished to destroy it, and Israel knew how to absorb immigrants from over 100 countries, including the Falashas of Ethiopia. And it is towards Jerusalem that we turn to pray for over 2000 years.

"Yes, the reasons to love Israel are numerous for us, French citizens of Jewish faith and culture. French President Jacques Chirac did understand this feeling of love when he recently said when addressing leaders of the Jewish community: "I do understand your feelings regarding the future of the State of Israel. I know the links binding you to the fate of this land of promise and of hope. These links are even stronger for they have been woven by History, and often, too, by tears and blood, but they are also made of strong family, cultural and friendly relations."

"Yes, I love Israel. But this being said, we didn't say all, we French Jews. For I do believe that when we say "Israel, I love you", we must also say "France, I love you," for we are entitled to love our father and our mother.

"This love link with our country is natural. We grew up here, we were schooled here, many of us said here "I love you" for the first time.

"As French Jews, this connection was enriched by History. Jewish presence on this land dates back 200 years ago. And France is the first country to have extended to the Jews full citizenship rights.

"It is then a privilege to celebrate in France the love for Israel.

"As you all know, love does not exclude criticism. I am reputed to talk openly.
This led me to criticize in the past years the foreign policy of our country towards Israel. Today, in spite of the disappointments of the past, we are basing our hopes on the election of a new Palestinian President who understood that he had to put an end to the sufferings of his people. We are also basing our hopes on a Prime Minister of Israel who chose to dialogue and make concessions. Our dream is that Abu Abbas will put an end to terrorism, that he will follow the steps of Sadat and of King Hussein and that at long last, Israelis and Palestinians will know peace, a true peace even if this means sometimes painful compromises.

"We all share this dream, like we all share this fond memory of the Champs-Elysees covered with the French and the Israeli flags during the State visit in Paris of Israel's President Moshe Katzav.

"Thanks to us, Israel will be again the true friend of France, for we, French Jews, we are the gateway between the two countries.

"Long live France, long live Israel, and long live the friendship between France and Israel.

"Am Israel Hai!"

Both Peres and Mofaz called on the French Jewish community to support the Gaza pullout. "Peace has already started with our disengagement from Gaza," said Peres. "This is our initiative and we shall not stop it. Within four months of today, Israel will be out of Gaza. Our immediate goals are the conquest of the Negev which is empty, the development of the Galilee region (…) and maintain Jerusalem as our capital city and a world spiritual and prayer center. With the mobilization and the participation of the Jewish world, I am sure we can succeed and implement this vision."

Defense Minister Mofaz said, "Israelis and Jews from all over the world have to take far reaching decisions. We must do our utmost to ensure Israel's existence forever with a united Jerusalem as its capital city. (…) However, we should keep our eyes wide open and not ignore the threats surrounding us," said Shaul Mofaz.

The French government was represented by Nicole Guedj, Minister for the Rights of the Victims. She said she was pleased by the improvement of the relations between France and Israel, "They've never been so good," said Mrs. Guedj. She renewed the pledge of the French authorities to mobilize its forces to fight against anti-Semitism.