Jerusalem Square inaugurated in Paris despite pro-Palestinian protests
The square, located at the intersection of Rue de Courcelles and Boulevard of Reims, in the central 17th Arrondissement.
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN, ALON EINHORNJerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion inaugurates Jerusalem Square in Paris, June 30, 2019 (photo credit: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY)
Despite a pro-Palestinian demonstration, the “Place de Jérusalem” plaza was inaugurated in Paris, at the initiative of Mayor Anne Hidalgo.“In this sad period of recrudesce of racist and antisemitic acts, recalling the ties that unite the city of Paris and the Jewish community is essential,” Hidalgo wrote to the president of the Central Consistory of France, Joel Mergui. The Consistory is the body that represents French Jewry in matters of religion.“For this reason, your proposal for devoting a square to Jerusalem in the capital seems very sensible, also in order to remember the friendship and the unity between the city of Paris and the State of Israel,” she added.Upon the approval of Hidalgo’s proposal, Danielle Simonnet from the far-left party La France Insoumise proposed an amendment, requesting that the street sign reads “Place de Jérusalem – with the wish that it becomes the future capital of two states.”Simonnet’s proposal was rejected, which sparked a large protest from pro-Palestinian associations.Dozens of people protested against the move, including the Association France Palestine Solidarité, which invited supporters to join the demonstration under the name “No to the confiscation of Jerusalem!”Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion participated in the inauguration event in Paris, following the invitation of Hidalgo.The plaza, located at the intersection of Rue de Courcelles and Boulevard of Reims in the central 17th Arrondissement, is also the site of the future European Center of Judaism (ECJ), which is currently under construction.
