Huge crowds gathered in Paris Sunday for a rally to show unity against terror and to pay tribute to 17 people killed in three days of terrorist attacks. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reported this story from Paris.

Dozens of world leaders and the relatives of attack victims joined French President Francois Hollande as he led the march.

“Today, Paris is the capital of the world,” Hollande said. “Our entire country will rise up and show its best side.”

Unity against extremism is the overriding message of the rally and the large turnout reflects the shock in France over the worst terrorist attacks here in decades.

It’s unprecedented in France to see this many people together in one place speaking with a united voice. Sunday their message was— we are united, and we are France.

A diverse crowd people of different ages, religions and ethnicities stood together in defiance of the terrorists.

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“The message is clear. I am here to exercise my right to freedom of expression, to be in a democratic republic. And at the same time to answer to these barbarian acts we must answer to them simply by protesting and expressing our desire for freedom and not having to suffer in the way they want to make us.”

The French people stood alongside their president on Sunday, but in the coming weeks Hollande will face some difficult questions about how these attacks happened, and how to fulfill the task of preventing future attacks.

Rallies held world-wide in solidarity with France

Solidarity rallies were held in both Jerusalem and Ramallah, Sunday in addition the unity against terrorism rally in France. As the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President travelled, separately to Paris to take part in events there.
CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg reported this story from Tel Aviv.

As the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas headed to Paris Sunday, the Palestine Liberation Organization or PLO, under his leadership,held a rally of solidarity in Ramallah.
Palestinians fear reactions in France to last week’s attacks could threaten a recent boost in French support for the Palestinians on the international stage.

“We will, together, be able to save the values that we fight for,” Yasser Abed Rabbo, Palestine Liberation Organization member said. “The values of liberty, of freedom and especially freedom of expression, of equality among all nations and all races.”

Officials in Ramallah and Gaza were quick to condemn the killings of the Charlie Hebdo journalists.

But at an Israeli gathering in Jerusalem, just a few kilometers away, some criticized Palestinian leaders for being more mute about the attack on the Jewish market.

“I think the Palestinians talk, but now is the time to act,” Avidan Robibo, Israeli rally participant said. “You have to follow through, to improve the peace process, and ensure that terrorism stops, no matters where in the world.”

The rally in Jerusalem was not just one of solidarity, but also one of anger. Many here say that for too long Europeans leaders have ignored what, they say, there is a rise in anti-Semitism across the continent, and an increase in attacks on Jews . especially in France.\
Before heading to Paris on Sunday, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had a message for the Jews of France and Europe.

“Any Jew who wants to immigrate to Israel will be received here warmhearted and with open arms,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “We will help you absorb here in our country, which is also your country.”

10 years ago, when former prime minister Ariel Sharon openly called for mass immigration to Israel, French leaders were outraged and relations were strained. Netanyahu is hoping this time, officials in Paris might be more understanding.