Herzog visited synagogue of his great-grandfather in Paris

Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog arrived on Friday to visit the synagogue in the Jewish Quarter in Paris, founded by his great-grandfather who was a rabbi there, accompanied by Rabbi of the synagogue Rabbi Mordechai Rottenberg.

Herzog wrote on Facebook: "The synagogue in the Jewish Quarter in Paris, was founded by my great-grandfather, Rabbi Yoel Leib Herzog of blessed memory in 1908.

I got here just before Shabbat, at the start of a state visit in rainy Paris for several days. Apart from political meetings, this visit is an expression of deep solidarity with the courageous Jewish community which is undergoing difficult times."

Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog met at the Elysee Palace with French President Francois Hollande where he presented his plan to separate Israel and the Palestinians.

Herzog wrote after meeting with the president, "Countries of the world must face reality. At the moment the most urgent thing is to part. It's a necessary step for the security of Israeli citizens. This is a necessary step to promote the two-state vision that I believe in with all my heart.

"Hollande and Fabius raised complex questions about the future of the region and Israel's willingness to go to extreme measures. Even they realize we're stuck. Even they understand this stagnancy is stabbing us.

"I thanked them profusely for their steadfastness on behalf of the Jews of France. This is a strong community going through difficult times but knows it has a real listening ear at the Elysee Palace and unlimited solidarity in Israel.

"The war on terror is a joint war. Difficult and painful and common to us and the French. They know that terrorism threatens the entire world. I alerted them that the decisions of the European Union regarding the marking of products and making one-sided decisions against Israel which France is trying to promote in the United Nations serve the enemies of Israel rather than promote peace. They have no taste. They just push us away from the target. Only complete separation between us and the Palestinians will guarantee security and pave the way when the time comes to complete and permanent arrangements".

Photography: Erez Lichtfeld

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!