President Reuven Rivlin met in Israel Monday with members of the Cohen, Braham, and Saada families, whose relatives were brutally murdered in the terror attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris last month.
Rivlin addressed the families as well as listened to stories of their experiences and struggles since the attack.
"Together with all the people of Israel, and the Jewish people around the world, we were shaken by the brutality of the horrific crime which led to such terrible loss," the President stated.
"There is no comfort that can ease your terrible pain," Rivlin sympathized. "Together with you, the whole people of Israel buried our brothers."
The four victims of the attack were Yohan Cohen, 22; Yoav Hattab, 21; Francois-Michel Saada, 60s; and Phillipe Braham, 40s.
"Jews around the world today, are part of the State of Israel. All of us, wherever we are, are part of the same family. The connection with the State of Israel is clear," Rivlin continued.
"So many Jews from France come here for vacations, and there are many who also have homes here in Israel," Rivlin said, noting again the close connection French Jews feel to the Jewish state.
"When one of our sons fall, one of our people, in the streets of Paris, we see them as part of our flesh, and the solidarity we feel is palpable."
"Our brothers, you, your pain is our pain, just as in the future, your joy will be our joy, and will bring joy to all of us," he concluded.
The family members expressed their gratitude for Rivlin, with some even mentioning plans to settle in Israel in the future.
The members of the families thanked the President for his words, and some went on to tell him of their plans to move to Israel and settle here.
Toward the end of the meeting, Rivlin embraced the families, thanked them in return, and said he hoped they would meet again only on joyous occasions.