Sephardic ambiance was guaranteed at the annual dinner of the Unified Jewish Appeal of France (AUJF) last Saturday at the Palais de la Méditerranée. This officially accredited organization with the State of Israel aimed to raise funds for both the Jewish Community of France and Jewish immigrants from all countries who decide to make Aliyah, to go live in Israel.
Surrounded by Alain Belhassen, President of Crif South East, Sauveur Assous, Regional President of the Unified Jewish Social Fund, Charles El Koubi, National Campaign President of the Unified Jewish Appeal of France, and Regional President Alain Berdah, the former Ambassador of Israel to the UN and to France, Yehuda Lancry was the guest of honor at this event. He did not hesitate, quoting Gaston Bachelard – “alcohol liberated syntax” -, to call for the generosity of the guests present by paying homage to the “generation of previous donors.” During his speech, he reminisced about his “literature studies at the University of Nice,” a “happy moment of his existence,” feeling “a lot of happiness to rediscover this Niçois space he had invested in during his student years,” calling them a “foundational period” for his future life.
He also addressed the issue of Aliyah, a “mass migration of three million Jews” which contributed to the construction of the State of Israel, noting that the phenomenon has not ceased: “from the French side, it’s increasing,” he explained, “while from the United States, there is a closer interest in Israel.” Calling to “bring together all energies,” the Israeli diplomat also mentioned the “difficulties of a society being constituted after two millennia of exile.” However, he praised the effectiveness of Keren Hayessod, the organization that federates all structures like the AUJF worldwide, which notably allowed for the “creation of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the School of Fine Arts, the El Al airline and, in part, the Israel Electric Corporation.”
He took the opportunity to recall the three main objectives of Aliyah: helping “Jews living in high-risk countries” to come and live in Israel, “developing cities and maintaining ties between Jews in Israel and those in the diaspora.” He particularly cited “programs that attract thousands of young Jews to Israel, adding value to their identity.” “2009 was a difficult year,” acknowledged Yehuda Lancry: “Israel had to deal with Hamas” and “despite the good economic indicators which open the prospect of joining the OECD soon, 20% of households in Israel live below the poverty line.”
“The other great challenge,” he added, “is peace, this latent lord that cannot become,” according to a phrase by Mallarmé. He insisted on the process of “mutual recognition between Palestinians and Israelis” which, despite all the vicissitudes, is “an irreversible process,” acknowledging in passing that Mahmoud Abbas had “suffered from some Israeli leaders, a lack of consideration.” “The inter-Palestinian schism makes concluding a peace agreement almost impossible,” Yehuda Lancry said, before urging “the United States and the European Union to the urgent task of addressing it.”
Regarding Iran, which “sees peace as a factor thwarting its policy,” it remains, according to the Ambassador, a “destabilizing factor for the entire region.” Tehran remains “an existential threat to Israel,” he continued, “and one would have to be completely deaf not to take it seriously.” Before concluding: “The sanctions imposed by the international community are important but not sufficient.”
Charles El Koubi, National Campaign President of the AUJF, coming from Paris, then gave useful details about the destination of the funds raised: there are about 22,000 Jews remaining in Iran as well as in Ethiopia or Yemen. He also mentioned the 6,000 to 8,000 Jews in India who, despite democracy, wish to settle in Israel, as well as the 2,000 Jews residing in Cuba. So many challenges to be met for the AUJF, which must remain mobilized.
Website: [https://www.aujf.org/index.php](https://www.aujf.org/index.php)
On Nice: 04 93 87 50 04 email: [cote.azur@aujf.org](mailto:cote.azur@aujf.org)
The Ambassador Yehuda Lancry
