France withholds funds to association in east Jerusalem

French parliamentarian Meyer Habib has been racked with anger for the past several days. Although the French government approved his initiative to offer a financial grant to an Israeli association in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, he was informed recently that the money, about 3,000 euros ($4,100), has been withheld because the organization sits just beyond the Green Line.

In December 2013, Habib -- who was selected about a year ago to represent French citizens living in Middle Eastern countries -- received the French government's permission to grant a financial contribution to the association Daat Menachem, which provides assistance to French-Israeli students studying in Jerusalem. French parliamentarians may offer financial contributions as part of their authority.

Habib said the decision unfairly distinguished among Jerusalem residents.

"The decision is shocking, unfair, and works to ostracize residents of Jerusalem and Gilo in particular," Habib wrote in a letter to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. "Everybody knows that no matter what agreement is reached [with the Palestinians], the neighborhood of Gilo will remain a part of the State of Israel."

Habib concluded the letter by stressing his understanding of the foreign minister's and French President Francois Hollande's warm relationship with Israel, clarifying that he expects the two to reconsider their decision.