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May 10, 2007
Sarkozy: Past & Future
In an interview Nicolas Sarkozy gave in 2004, he expressed an extraordinary understanding of the plight of the Jewish people for a home: “Should I remind you the visceral attachment of every Jew to Israel, as a second mother homeland? There is nothing outrageous about it. Every Jew carries within him a fear passed down through generations, and he knows that if one day he will not feel safe in his country, there will always be a place that would welcome him. And this is Israel.”
To read the entire article, please click here.
Hat Tip: Seraphic Tante Pearl Keiler.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at May 10, 2007 09:53 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Just wanted to add that there are rumors Arno Klarsfeld would be appointed as a minister.
Posted by: Greg at May 10, 2007 11:42 AM
Greg:
Yes, thanks so much for the tip. I just picked this up from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency:
Arno Klarsfeld, son of Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, reportedly is a leading candidate to join the new French government. Media reports suggest that the post of minister of immigration and national identity in President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy's government will go either to Klarsfeld or Sarkozy spokeswoman Rachida Dati. Klarsfeld refused to comment.
Sarkozy, who won elections Sunday, has revealed little about his government, which will be presented around May 20.
Klarsfeld, a 41-year-old lawyer, undertook several projects for Sarkozy when the latter was interior minister, dealing with France's colonial past, the homeless and illegal immigration issues.
Klarsfeld heads the association of Sons and Daughters of Deported French Jews. In 1998 he represented the association that sought damages at the trial of Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon. He also has been engaged in humanitarian causes in Rwanda and Kosovo.
In 2002, Klarsfeld moved to Israel and joined the Border Police, where he served at a checkpoint near Bethlehem for nearly a year. In 2004 he wrote in Le Monde, "If the persecuted Jews of Germany, Poland, Hungary and Romania had been permitted to immigrate to Palestine... it is certain that the number of Jews exterminated would have been far less."
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 10, 2007 12:05 PM
i thought it was telling that he volunteered for the army at a time when this was no longer required of olim his age.
Posted by: Ari Kinsberg at May 10, 2007 12:22 PM
and for that matter, i don't think he was a "real" oleh anyway (i could be wrong, but then how did he end up back in france in the running for a cabinet position), which makes it even more impressive.
Posted by: Ari Kinsberg at May 10, 2007 12:23 PM
Ari:
Excellent point! Arno Klarsfled is obviously a very special man. Let's hope Sarkozy does bring him into the government.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 10, 2007 12:32 PM