(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)
The France-Israel Foundation and the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists are hosting a group of 28 senior French jurists, including 15 French judges. Jean-Claude Magendie, President of the Paris Court of Appeals, is leading the delegation. The visit is being held under the auspices of Michèle Alliot-Marie, French Minister of Justice, and will take place between the 19th and 22nd of October 2009.
During the visit, the delegation will meet with the Chairman of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin, and with Israeli Minister of Justice Ya'akov Ne'eman.
The delegation will visit the Supreme Court and meet with Supreme Court Justice Edna Arbel. The delegation will also tour the Jerusalem Magistrates Court, and meet with Court President Shulamit Dotan.
On Wednesday 21 October, the delegation will participate in a seminar on "Ethics and Law in Times of War and Peace" at Bar Ilan University, chaired by Prof. Yaffa Zilbershatz.
During its visit to Israel, the delegation will meet with leading members of the Israeli bar, such as Prof. Mordehai Kremnitzer, and learn of the Israeli judicial system and various legal issues, including methods of dealing with terror by democratic states, the role of the judge, human rights, etc.
In addition, the purpose of the visit is to increase awareness of the current events which confront Israel daily and to strengthen the professional relationship between Israel and French jurists.
The France-Israel Foundation was founded in 2005 due to the initiative of French President Jacques Chirac and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, with the purpose of strengthening the relationship and cooperation between Israel and France.