“I’m standing. » It was under this slogan that several thousand people gathered this Sunday in Paris, in support of Israel and the victims of the October 7 attack. It is about coming together “in support of Israel, of the Israeli people” and “in memory of the people who died and in support of those who were kidnapped” on October 7, 2023, said Robert Zbili, the president of the Jewish National Fund (KKL), at the origin of the rally.
The rally, organized on the eve of the Crif rally on Monday evening, also gave the microphone to several parents of victims. A mother thus recounts, her voice filled with tears, the death of her son “shot by vile terrorists” during “one of the most terrible days since the creation of the State of Israel”. Several representatives of the Jewish community were present, including the president of Crif Yonathan Arfi and that of the United Jewish Social Fund Ariel Goldmann.
Videos, speeches…
Before the appearance on stage of several artists – including the presenter Arthur and the singer Amir – videos from October 7 are broadcast on the giant screens, not obscuring certain very harsh images. Shouts then ring out: “Bands of terrorists, monstrous people, Nazis, trash! » In the public carrying small Israeli and French flags, some waved signs “Rapes in progress – Hamas terrorist” or even “Am Israel Haï” (“Israel is alive”).
“We are combative, but sad to see the state in which the country has been put by the hate speech of the far left,” adds his neighbor Yves C (he prefers, like many, not to give his last name ), who also admits “not understanding the line” of French President Emmanuel Macron who called on Saturday for an end to arms deliveries to Israel.
“We are not protected”
Same observation for Henri, 89 years old, who himself was a hidden child during the Second World War: “The president did not come to the demonstration (on November 12, 2023 against anti-Semitism, Editor’s note), and tomorrow he will not won’t be there. We are not protected,” he says about the tribute organized by Crif, which should bring together several ministers including the head of government.
At the foot of the stage, the sister of Ofer Kalderon, who is still held hostage, expressed her dismay during an improvised press briefing. “We ask the French government to do everything to bring them back,” she said.
