During the event, hosted by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the memorial, which measures up to 100 meters in length and 13 meters in height. The monument lists the convoys of deportations, and the first and last names, date and birthplace of the deportees. The memorial also contains a grove of 80,000 pine trees, in memory of the 80,000 Jews deported from France during the Holocaust to Nazi death and labor camps.
In memory, President Macron laid a wreath and met with young 3rd generation descendants of deportees, and also with Auschwitz-Birkenau survivor Mr. Saul Oren and Mr. Samuel Green, survivor of the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup.
Also present at the ceremony were Karine Bolton Laor of KKL-JNF’s International Relations Department, and KKL-JNF Vice Chairman Yair Lotstein, who expressed the organization’s deep appreciation for President Macron’s visit and for the opportunity to share this momentous occasion, in remembrance, together.
More on KKL-JNF activities in Israel to commemorate Holocaust victims and honor survivors