(Newswire.net — January 13, 2015) — A historic ‘Unity Walk’ rally in Paris grabbed the attention of the media, not only by the fact it was nearly 4 million people marching against terrorism, but because they were led by politicians from 40 countries. Not all, however, were welcomed. The reports emerged saying French President Hollande didn’t want Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the same rally, however, they both showed up.
When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu heard that Palestinians were going, he informed the French government he would be attending the march after all. Even though he received a ‘higher note’ that the prime minister’s conduct would have an adverse effect on ties between the two countries as long as Hollande was the president of France and Netanyahu was the prime minister of Israel, according to media reports.
Reportedly, Hollande’s concerns about Netanyahu was not groundless because the Israeli leader did seek to exploit the tragedy of Charlie Hebdo attack and a hostage standoff at a kosher supermarket which killed a total of 17 people.
In a speech at the Grand Synagogue in Paris, Netanyahu unequivocally asked French Jews to leave the country for Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu careful called for immediate immigration, saying, “I want to say to you what I say to all our Jewish brothers, that you have a full right to live secure and peaceful lives with equal rights wherever you desire, including here in France.”
“These days we are blessed with another privilege, a privilege that didn’t exist for generations of Jews, the privilege to join their brothers and sisters in their historic homeland of Israel,” Jerusalem Post cited Netanyahu.
During the ceremony held Sunday evening following the march at the Grand Synagogue in Paris, an event attended by hundreds of members of the local Jewish community, reporters captured evidence of Hollande’s anger at Netanyahu. Hollande sat through most of the ceremony, but when Netanyahu’s turn at the podium arrived, the French president got up from his seat and made an early exit.
Israeli and French stands collided recently when Paris decided to back the Palestinians’ UN Security Council resolution and recognize the Palestinian state. Further more, Jerusalem officials were surprised that France voted in favor of a resolution to force Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 lines.
Netanyahu’s move wasn’t quite welcomed by the Hebrew community in Paris. The head of the largest advocate for the Jewish organizations and communities in Europe sharply criticized Israel’s call for increased immigration of the Continent’s Jews to Israel in the wake of the attacks in Paris.
“Every such Israeli campaign severely weakens and damages the Jewish communities that have the right to live securely wherever they are,” said local rabbi.
Muslim extremists and neo Nazis, however, agree with Netanyahu, posting comments on social networks that Jews should follow their leader and leave Europe.