Absorption Minister: French Jews Should Consider the ‘Israel Alternative’

Government officials will hold an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss further ways to encourage more French Jews to immigrate to Israel, Absorption Minister Sopha Lanver said Friday, in the wake of the terrorist attack in Nice that took 84 lives on Thursday night.

Speaking Friday, Landver said that the meeting would examine ways to absorb the growing number of French Jews seeking to immigrate to Israel. Next week, she said, another plane load of Jewish immigrants from France will be landing in Israel, and Landver said that the country was ready for them, as well as for the other immigrants who decide to come to Israel.

“We are in constant touch with leaders of the community, seeking ways to enhance the immigration experience for those who choose to join us in Israel, said Landver. “We are in the midst of finishing up a new plan that will establish new communities for French immigrants in the Negev and Galilee. It is Israel’s responsibility to keep an open door and to embrace immigrants from France and elsewhere.”

“I wish to send my condolences,” said Landver. “Liberty, equality and fraternity are not just mere words for the French but values that they live by. These were the values that were being celebrated on Thursday, French Independence Day, and the values that the French fought for. These values were violated by evil people.”