Parisians were treated today to a free distribution of thousands of Israeli-grown roses as hundreds of members of local Jewish youth organizations handed out the flowers to mark Israel’s 25th anniversary.
The Jewish youths walked along the streets handing out the roses to surprised passersby. “This is a different side of Israel you propose to us” said one delighted passerby when presented with one of the flowers along the Champs. Elysees. Thousands of Parisians accepted the flowers with thanks, stressing that it was a useful reminder that Israel is not only a country of soldiers.
Tonight, the participants in the distribution were joined by hundreds of other members of the youth organizations to hold a special picnic in the center of Paris’ Bohemian area, St. Germain de Pres. Bonfires and Israeli horas brought an Israeli note to what is normally a typical Paris square.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
