France Israel Foundation will bring the fourth delegation of twenty grandchildren of Righteous among the Nations to Israel, from 7th to 10th of April 2013.

French and Israelis have gone over time through the periods of proximity and the periods of alienation. Created by the President of the French Republic and the Israeli Prime Minister, France Israel Foundation aims at bringing them together in the fields of economy, culture, science, or memory. Better understanding for better undertaking is our slogan.

"Memory of Righteous among the Nations" is an initiative of the Youth Section of France Israel Foundation, which is committed to transmit the memory of the Holocaust in a different way, especially to French new generations. Paying particular attention to the descendants of the Righteous among the Nations, means to bring closer this sometimes distant memory but also to show some positive moments stressing the heroic actions of those of French citizens who spoke out against Nazi barbarism.

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-19___16.17.20

Nicole Guedj, former minister, president of France Israel Foundation

According to Nicole Guedj, president of the France Israel Foundation: "These young people are not alike, they come from all over France but they have a common heritage. They are the grandchildren of French Righteous, they are the descendants of heroes who one day, had to oppose Nazi barbarism. They are all here to defend human rights. These young people, who come for the first time to Israel, we should trust them, we should thank them for always transmitting the memory of all those whom we have lost. "

On the occasion of the commemoration of the Holocaust, these "Ambassadors of Memory" will honor their grandparents but also 3 707 French Righteous among the Nations who were saving Jews at the risk of their lives during the World War II. At Yad Vashem, they will proudly discover the names of their grandparents on the wall of Righteous among the Nations and exchange with Holocaust survivors, some of whom were protected by their ancestors. Numerous meetings with the Israelis will also be initiated to sustain the strong bonds that unite the history of the Righteous among the Nations to the State of Israel.

Testimony of Thierry Durce, 25 years old, member of the delegation in 2012: "I have completely changed in 4 days. I understand better myself and especially my family history that makes me proud and makes me stronger than I was before. "

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-13___12.14.08

Wreath laying at the commemoration of the Holocaust in Jerusalem

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-19___16.22.28

Nicole Guedj puts a rose in the crypt of Yad Vashem in memory of all victims of Drancy

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-13___12.14.49

Visit of the crypte of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem by the delegation

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-19___16.26.59

Grandchildre of Righteous among the Nations discover the names of their grandparents on the Wall of Righteous in Yad Vashem

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-13___12.22.00

Meeting of the descendant of the Righteous among the Nations and the person saved by his family

Capture_d__cran_2013-02-13___12.25.25

Delegation 2011 in front of the Kotel in Jerusalem

To make the story known to the general public, the team of reporters accompany the group each year.

For example, a team of France Television has made a series that was broadcast daily, the last five minutes of the 13-hour television news on France 2 in 2012.

The French Committee for Yad Vashem is closely associated with the project and participates actively in its implementation.

Relive the highlights of this journey through the film "Just at the end of a journey."

Voyage de petits-enfants de Justes parmi les Nations en Israel