Israel holds rally, lights buildings in tricolor, in solidarity with France
'Tonight we are all French,' Peres tells Tel Aviv gathering; Knesset, Old City walls glow red, white and blue
About 2,500 people participated in an event at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on Saturday night to show support and solidarity with terror victims in France.
The crowd included many French immigrants. In addition to the French ambassador and former president Shimon Peres, opposition leader Isaac Herzog and Interior Minister Silvan Shalom also participated.
All of the speakers stressed the common values shared by France and Israel, and chiefly the love of liberty.
“Tonight we are all French,” said Peres. “Your pain is ours. Your fight is ours. Your hope is ours. Your values are ours. You have always been and will always be at the forefront of the fight against barbarism. You are the human cavalry which opens the way to freedom and to peace,” he said.
“In these difficult days we are all united at the side of the French republic. France will be victorious. France will always remain a great nation.”
The event closed with the singing of the Marseillaise and Hatikvah, with many of those gathered singing along to both anthems.
In a further sign of solidarity, the Knesset was illuminated with the colors of the French flag. The Tel Aviv municipality building followed suit. From midnight, a section of Jerusalem’s Old City wall was being illuminated with the colors of the tricolor.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said “the whole world understands today what we in Israel and Jerusalem have experienced for years… We must all work together against terrorism of any kind.”
Earlier Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent condolences to France.
He said Israel was providing intelligence and security assistance to Paris in the battle against terrorism.