Nicolas Sarkozy (French President) To Visit Israel

It looks as if Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of France will be visiting the Holy Land this coming Sunday.

(Israel National News) French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife are due to arrive in Israel Sunday afternoon for a three-day visit. Sarkozy will visit the Dead Sea, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Knesset. He is expected to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Aviva and Noam Shalit, parents of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Relations between Israel and France have been steadily improving over recent months, with the two nations expanding their friendship within the realm of business.

With Europe now aboard the "we love Israel" train, the tiny Jewish state is finding the world to be a lot more friendlier than it was a decade ago.

Video: Can Israel Win The Dessert Dish Olympics?

While Israel is attempting to win the gold in the upcoming Olympics in China, there is another international sport where a Jewish contestant is not only seeking to dominate the arena, but also fill up a few bellies as well.

(Israel 21^st Century) This year, Asher Toubkin, Israel's premiere chocolate sculptor, is confident that his team has a shot at taking first place at the Open de desserts de France (French Dessert Open) International Dessert Awards at the Paris Expo in the Porte de Versailles on March 30. [...]

The competition is indeed high-pressure. In just under five hours (including a half-hour allotted to clean-up), each team must create from scratch and present to judges: a showpiece exclusively made of sugar, a showpiece exclusively made of chocolate, and 10 identical desserts made from a combination of chocolate and fruit (one for each judge to taste, plus one for display), all around a particular theme. Pieces are judged based on the methodologies employed by the chefs, cleanliness, creativity, artistic presentation, attention to detail, time, and of course, taste.

Hopefully Toubkin is able to pull off a victory in France, as it could help yet another country to acquire a taste of Israeli treats (the previous ones being Japan and Australia).

France Going Ga Ga Over Israel?

(Hat Tip: Solomonia)

Ironically it seems that a nation once regarded by many to be Israel's "distant buddy" is now embracing their Jewish friend with open arms.

(Associated Press) His embrace of Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke of more than personal chemistry: Nicolas Sarkozy wants to rebuild France's frayed ties with Israel, notably by echoing its tough stance against Iran. [...]

And during a pomp-filled dinner Monday, Sarkozy lost no opportunity to assure Peres of his friendship, saying France will always work to ensure Israel's survival.

"Not from time to time, Mr. President — always," said Sarkozy. "And those who call in a scandalous, scandalous way for the destruction of Israel will always find France in front of them to block their route."

This recent embrace of Israel by the French may surprise many people, who may not realize that France has already expressed support for the missing IDF soldiers, not to mention finding ways of easing trade between the two nations.

Hopefully this trend will spread throughout the rest of Europe, as they have much to gain from aligning themselves with the Jewish state (hint: energy, cough, energy).

France And Israel Partnering Up In The Stock Market?

It looks as if the governments of France and Israel are opening their capital markets to each other, making it even easier for investors from either side to conduct business.

(Globes Online) The Israel Securities Authority and France's L'Autorite des Marchés Financiers (AMF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) opening their respective capital markets to trade in securities issued by both Israeli and French companies. The agreement will be based on mutual reliance of both agencies on the regulation existing in the other's country. [...]

The Securities Authority noted, "The concept underlying the agreement is similar to the single passport principle used by EU countries in relation to the regulation and supervision of European financial markets. [...] This process permits the EU states to recognize and rely upon each other's regulatory regimes and thus to dispense with any additional regulatory requirements in excess of those of the issuing company's home member state."

This should make it much easier for French citizens to invest in Israel (and vice versa), boosting each nations respective economies.

Israel's economy is already doing very well thanks to tourism, although having more foreign money pour into the Jewish state can't help.

Since When Did The French Support IDF Captives?

In a surprising move for a nation known for its sharp tongue against Israel, it looks as if the nation of France has inaugurated a site dedicated to the missing IDF soldiers--an event that has touched the lives of the families seeking the return of their loved ones.

(Ynet News) "In our previous meeting with Paris' mayor, we asked to display photos of our sons near city hall. The mayor was very attentive and promised to do something, and today he delivered," Noam Shalit said. "The photos have not been displayed near city hall, but they are located in a park where thousands of people and families visit every weekend."

"This is a significant gesture for us and it should not be taken for granted," Shalit added. "Gilad is indeed a French national, but Eldad and Udi are not, and what was done today touched us greatly."

This monument will hopefully enlighten French citizens on the situation regarding the missing solders, as well as help build sympathy for their whereabouts in the middle east.

Note: To my knowledge, France has close relations with many Arabian nations, and this move may be a sign that France is interested in helping Israel recover its missing soldiers.

Update: New French Jews Excited About Israel

(Image: New Olim at Ben-Gurion Airport, Credit: Yael Branovsky of Ynet News)


It looks like the Jews who left the land of croissants for the land of falafels are enjoying their stay in the holy land. Ynet reporters were able to give everyone a brief update on how they were adjusting to Israeli life, and it looks like the French Jews are enjoying it!

(Ynet News) An Immigration Ministry representative arrived at the house and held a short festive ceremony in which he gave the parents their blue identity cards. The children jumped up and kissed their excited parents. [...]

"We used to visit Israel a lot," says Valerie. "Last February we arrived for a real investigation. We came to Netanya, where I was familiar with the community of French immigrants, and I felt at home.

"When I entered the school the children will study in, I was excited and immediately understood this is the place I want them to be in. On the way back to France we already knew that we are going to immigrate to Israel very soon," she adds.

This family (along with 600 others) are already beginning to experience real life as Israeli's, with some seeing if they can remain in the same industry as they had in France.

Although they have yet to learn the language, these new comers (or olim as they call them in Israel) seem determined to learn Hebrew, as well as contribute to the overall Israeli society.

How Do You Say Aliyah In French?

(Image Credit: Eli Elgarat of Ynet News)


It looks as if 600 Jews from France will be departing their mother country in order to begin a new life as an Israeli in the holy land.

(Ynet News) Around 600 new immigrants from France are expected to land in Israel on Wednesday as the result of a joint effort of AMI (Aliyah et Meilleure Integration) and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

This year has seen a 10 percent rise in the number of new immigrants from France compared to the previous year, making 2007 a record year for French aliyah: More than 3,000 olim are expected to come to Israel, as opposed to 2,900 in 2006. This is a 35-year record.

What makes this news really exciting is the fact that many of these individuals are composed of families, with the bulk deciding to migrate towards Ashdod, Jerusalem and Netanya (a city I have yet to visit).

President Peres will officially welcome them to their new homeland, and hopefully they will be able to trade in their french croissants for an Israeli falafel.

Update: You can find more images of Aliyah over here (thanks Jacob!).

Also Israel National News has snippet regarding a couple who survived the Holocaust deciding to move to Israel.

Israel Could Make 800 Million At Paris Air Show

While Israeli companies are out there "strutting their stuff" to the world, Globes is reporting that these corporate firms could generate an enormous amount of cash from contracts--$800 million to be exact.

(Globes Online) 11 Israeli companies from the defense and security sectors will be exhibiting in the Israeli pavilion at the 2007 Paris Air Show opening tomorrow at Le Bourget. Israel is considered a leading defense exporter, and it is ranked fourth in aviation and defense technologies exports after the US, Russia and France.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the air show, Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute chairman David Arzi said the 11 Israeli companies exhibiting at the Paris Air Show could sign as much as $800 million in new contracts there.

Israeli companies competing in the air show include:

• Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd.


• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.


• Bental Industries Ltd.


• Elbit Systems Ltd.


• Orbit Technology Group Ltd.


• Plasan Sasa Ltd.


• Rada Electronic Industries Ltd.


• Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.


• SGD Engineering Ltd.


• SDS-Star Defense Systems Ltd.

As the air show started yesterday, there are no final numbers as to how much these companies will generate. Either way, it will be a great way for Israel to display their more technological side to not only Europe, but the rest of the world.