JNS
“I came here to strengthen and embrace the Jewish community in Paris,” said Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met in France on Tuesday with representatives of Jewish communities and organizations, as well as representatives of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Agency.
During the meetings, Smotrich discussed the relations between Israel and France's Jewish communities, the challenges faced by those communities and the strengthening of immigration from France to Israel.
The finance minister also met with businessmen and investors at the Israel-France Chamber of Commerce to discuss strengthening the economic ties between the countries and increasing mutual trade.
“We talked about trade and import barriers and the fight against the cost of living in Israel,” he said. “There is tremendous potential and we will work hard, with God’s help, to realize it.”
Smotrich also visited the Hypercasher Kosher supermarket in Paris, where an Islamist terror attack claimed four lives in January 2015.
“I came here to strengthen and embrace the Jewish community in Paris,” he said. “Our uniqueness as a Jewish people and as a sovereign state is the special connection and responsibility to every Jew in the world.”
