In a case that shocked France, Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man in Paris, waskidnapped and brutally tortured for three weeks before being dumped by aroadside, ultimately dying of his injuries on the way to hospital. He was 23years old. The antisemitic attack, which occurred 20 years ago almost to theday, shook both the French Jewish community and French society as a whole.
In recent years, many of the trees planted for Halimi in France have beenvandalized or cut down in antisemitic acts. The inauguration of the grove inIsrael sends a powerful message of remembrance, resilience, and a firm standagainst hatred— a deliberate choice to plant roots in a place where bothidentity and connection to the People and the Land of Israel are strengthened.
Around 45 members of the Walk for Water delegation from France, visitingIsrael as part of their annual Zionist, values-driven journey to strengthenJewish identity and connection to the State of Israel, participated in theinauguration ceremony, joined by about 30 youth and counselors from theJewish-Zionist Scouts movement.
KKL France president Dr. Robert Zbili delivered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: "The inauguration of the grove in Ilan Halimi's memory isnot only an act of commemoration but a clear statement of values. In the faceof attempts to erase memory and harm the symbols of Jewish identity inFrance, we choose to build, to plant, and to deepen our roots here in Israel.
“The connection between the youth and leaders from France and the soil ofthe Negev is an educational, Zionist, and moral response to antisemitism. This is a struggle for memory, for identity, and for a shared future."
Since July 2025, KKL France has brought around 150 youth leaders fromFrance to Israel through an extensive educational support and fundinginitiative that is an integral part of Zionist, values-based education andstrengthens their connection to Israel.