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British woman launches petition urging Israel to honour Hyper Cacher hero Lassana Bathily
January 22, 2015 16:38
An online petition has been set up calling for the Muslim employee who hid Jewish customers during the Hyper Cacher attack to be honoured by Israel.
Lassana Bathily, 24, concealed Jewish customers in a cold-store when gunman Amedy Coulibaly attacked the kosher supermarket in Paris, killing four people.
Mr Bathily's has already been was granted French nationality as a reward for his heroism, but now a British woman is trying to get the Israel to honour him for saving 7 Jewish lives.
Ella Bennett said she started the petition because “Benjamin Netanyahu and the state of Israel should do more to say thank you”.
She said: “I was motivated by the successful petition in France to have Lassanna honoured with a French citizenship.
“As someone who is both Jewish and black I can relate to what he did on a number of levels.
“I've set my petition target at 250,000 signatures because it's a difficult number for Benjamin Netenyahu to ignore.
“I know Netanyahu said thank you but I think he deserves a honour.”
Mrs Bennett who attends St John’s Wood Synagogue, said over 160 people had signed the petition since it was launched on Wednesday.
She said: “Lassana is an exemplary candidate for an official honour from Israel, and he is a shining example to citizens globally.”
At a ceremony in France attended by French leaders, Mr Bathily said he was "proud and moved" to receive citizenship in France.
"People say I'm a hero but I'm not a hero. I'm Lassana,” he said
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