The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris takes place at the start of Shabbat on Friday night.
By United with Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog plans to depart on Wednesday for visits to Italy and France, where he will take part in the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
According to the Hebrew-language Kipa newspaper, Herzog plans to return from the opening ceremony, which will take place at the beginning of Shabbat on Friday night, by foot.
“So as to observe the holiness of the Shabbat, the president and his wife will return from the ceremony by foot.”
During his visit to the Olympic village in Paris, Herzog, along with members of the Israeli Olympic delegation, also plans to attend a ceremony honoring the Israeli Olympic athletes murdered during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, and to affix a mezuzah in their memory.
“We are in the midst of a difficult and painful war, which is also reflected on the international stage,” Herzog said ahead of the visit. “At this time, it is especially important for the State of Israel to take our place resolutely and appear on every global stage, and particularly on such an important stage as the Olympics.”