A former leader of the French resistance movement who rescued 32 Jewish children from the Gestapo in 1944 at the risk of his own life, was presented with the Award of Righteousness here today, a silver medal and illuminated scroll symbolizing Jewish gratitude for acts of bravery by non-Jews in their behalf.
The recipient was Jean Deffaught, former Mayor of Annemasse, who served the French resistance in the Franco-Swiss border region during World War II. The award was presented by the new Israeli envoy to Switzerland, Ambassador Aryeh Levivi, in ceremonies held in the Israel Mission headquarters here. Ambassador Mordecai Kidron, permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva participated in the ceremonies. A number of Mr. Deffaught’s former resistance comrades were present.
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