PARIS (EJP)--- Two weeks after he launched a special support campaign for Lebanon, Socialist Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe announced Wednesday he would also support Israeli civilians who are targeted by Hezbollah in northern Israel.

When the “Lebanon-solidarity” campaign took-off on July 26 Jewish leaders and simple citizens wrote to the city hall and asked for a similar initiative for the inhabitants of northern Israel targeted by Hezbollah.

For the past two weeks the city hall put up public signs in the streets calling on Parisians to donate money to a Lebanese embassy bank account dedicated for civilians.

On 25 July, a day before he launched the first solidarity campaign, Delanoe met with Lebanese ambassador Sylvie Fadlallah to discuss the current situation and needs of the Lebanese population.

The ambassador told Delanoe about the “Solidarity Lebanon” bank account Beirut had opened and the next day the Mayor called on Parisians to send checks to the embassy.

He maintained close contacts with Lebanese officials such as French-speaking mayors of Beirut, Tripoli and Zahle.

Bertrand Delanoe also visited a Lebanese student hostel in Paris to express his solidarity and met with Father Said, priest at Notre-Dame du Liban Church.

Massive donation

The International Associations of French-speaking mayors decided to donate 100,000 euros to Lebanon and in September the City council is due to decide on new initiatives on Lebanon.

“The exclusion of Israeli civilians wasn’t directed deliberately against Israel,” a prominent community leader, who asked for anonymity, told EJP. “It was a mistake made while main city hall officials were abroad.”

Communal lobbying

Jewish leaders and simple citizens wrote to the city hall and asked for a similar initiative for the inhabitants of northern Israel which are targeted by Hezbollah.

Israeli residents of the northern town of Kiryat Shmona run for cover from Hezbollah rockets

After receiving numerous messages asking for a similar support to Israeli citizens, the mayor, who is currently on holiday in Tunisia, decided to expand the initiative to include Israelis.

City billboards will suggest donating money to two separate initiatives: the Lebanese fund “Solidarity-Lebanon” launched by the Lebanese embassy and “Solidarity-Northern Israel” organised by the Jewish organisation AUJF (The French Jewish Unified Call) which usually gathers money for impoverished members of the local community.

The city will also recommend donating to the two funds on its Internet site www.paris.fr.

The Parisian campaign may be prolonged in September with an exceptional financial aid that will be discussed during the first city council meeting after holiday recess.

The sum will enable to complete support projects in both countries.