A grove in memory of the French government minister Nicole Bricq was recently dedicated in Adullam-France Park in the Judean Foothills. Bricq, who was a member of the French Senate and served as minister of ecology, energy and sustainable development and as minister of foreign trade, died in August 2017 at the age of 70 after a fall down a flight of stairs.
“Planting a grove in her memory is the most appropriate way possible to memorialize this woman who fought for the environment,” declared French Ambassador to Israel
Hélène Le Gal at the ceremony held in the park.
Adullam-France Park, which symbolizes the friendship between France and Israel, extends over an area of some 50,000 dunam (approx. 12,500 acres) of magnificent scenery, lively tourist sites and fascinating history. KKL France decided to adopt the park in 2009; since then it has developed steadily and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Thanks to the support of Friends of
KKL France, KKL-JNF has developed a number of projects in the park, including archeological sites, bicycle trails and
walking paths.
“Government Minister Bricq supported Israel and took action against anti-Semitism,” said
Laurent Azoulai, a friend of the family and the initiator of the forest in her memory. “The tree that we plant today also symbolizes her activities on behalf of the environment.”
The grove in memory of the former government minister was donated personally by a number of leading members of the French Socialist Party past and present and by prominent French politicians, including President
Emmanuel Macron and his predecessor
François Hollande.
KKL-JNF Emissary to France
Fino Edery explained to the guests why this particular spot had been chosen as the site for the grove: “The park represents the friendship between Israel and France, and the minister was a true friend of Israel,” he said. He told his listeners about the vivid history of the area from Biblical times until the present, about its unique natural characteristics and about the variety of flora and fauna with which it is populated.
Notable archeological sites in Adullam-France Park include the Atari Ruins (Hurvat Atari), which are the remains of a Second Temple village; the ruins of the Byzantine community of Burgin, which include a mosaic floor, cisterns, a mikveh, burial chambers and secret underground passages; and Tel Adullam, believed to be the site of the Biblical city of the same name.
Etti Lankry, head of KKL-JNF’s French Desk, who presided over the ceremony, described the late minister with a quotation from the Bible: “Who can find a woman of valor?” (Proverbs 31:10). This quotation is also inscribed upon the plaque in her memory at the appreciation center for KKL-JNF’s Friends in France, which is situated at the edge of the park.
French television producer
Rémi Feldman read aloud
Natan Zach’s famous poem “For Man is a Tree of the Field” to the assembled company.
The final speaker was Nicole Bricq’s life partner
Jean-Paul Planchou, who contributed personal recollections: “She felt a special connection to Israel and Judaism. As one who believed in human beings’ ability to rise above themselves and attain new horizons, she regarded Israel as a shining example of these qualities. I should like to thank KKL-JNF for paying tribute to her today.”
After the ceremony two olive trees were planted by the participants in the event. These trees will take root, grow, and serve as a lasting reminder to us all of Nicole Bricq’s environmental activities, her concern for humankind and her profound love for Israel.