More than 50,000 Jews and others from all over France attended a marathon “Twelve Hours For Israel” fair and rally at the central fair grounds here yesterday. The event, organized by the French United Jewish Appeal and the French Jewish Central Welfare Fund (FSJU), was described as the largest demonstration of solidarity with Israel ever held in this country at a time when Israel was not at war.
Jewish organizations chartered trains and buses to bring thousands from places as distant as Lyons and Marseilles. Popular entertainers performed, choirs sang and political figures lectured and held round-table discussions of the Middle East situation and Franco-Israeli ties. Former Premier Pierre Mendes-France was among the participants. The fair’s organizers said they were gratified by the turn-out, especially the large participation of teen-agers and young adults.
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