Today the large French and Israeli flags were coming down.
They had been hung for a show of unity with France,
as Israeli leaders,
along with French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal,
joined thousands of mourners in attending the funeral yesterday
at Givat Shaul Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel.
The road leading to the cemetery was closed
and traffic was backing up with unhappy drivers.
But the special free shuttle buses had a police escort
and went around the stopped vehicles.
Security lined the roads
and much of the cemetery.
Free water bottles were piled high in several locations.
International media and TV cameras were set.
Crowds tried to get past guards to enter,
but only those with invitations were allowed to pass.
Here a family member was carrying a talit,
which is used to cover the body before burial.
There were a few signs
in the crowd,
one with the faces and names of four men murdered,
because they were Jews,
Yohan Cohen,
Yoav Hattab,
Philippe Braham,
Francois-Michel Saada,
and Israeli flags.
Immediate mourners and dignitaries were behind barriers,
inside other barriers.
Everyone rose when the Chief Rabbi entered,
and many stopped him to kiss his hand.
One by one Zaka members carried in the men,
murdered in terror attack in Paris, France on erev Shabbat.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat escorted a family member,
who lit a flame and spoke.
The Chief Rabbis,
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin,
French Minister Segolene Royal,
and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
spoke in a protected area where only a special photographer
could get a photo without distorted reflections.
It was a sad day,
for all involved.
Inside the main area it did not seem like so many people came,
but upon leaving it was obvious that thousands could not get in.
They filled the streets as they filed out slowly.
Waiting shuttle buses returned us to town,
where more signs lined the Jerusalem, Israel streets.
Sadly, Jerusalem has had large funerals before
and has learned how to prepare for the huge crowds.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this was the last one
for innocent people murdered by terrorists?