French President Says Israel Is Priority

At a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the roundup of the Jews of Vel d’Hiv, France during World War Two, President François Holland spoke to the Jewish community of France by explicitly recognizing the responsibility of France in this roundup, and more generally the active complicity of the Vichy government in the implementation of the “final solution” in France during the Holocaust.

He also said that the French government will fight against anti-Semitism, because “not to do so is to accept it.”

Menachem Ladayov, the editor of Anachinfos, a French-language Chabad new website, approached Mr. Hollande and his Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault. He first congratulated the president for his touching speech, and blessed him with success for years to come. He finally wished him to always be on the side of Israel; The president’s response was: “it is our duty and our priority!”