Disabled Israelis cycle along the Erdre

It all started when…

A dozen very special cyclists will travel the north of the Loire-Atlantique from May 16 to 23. These disabled athletes are veterans of the Israeli army, seriously injured in the service. Cycle tourism helps them overcome their physical difficulties, maintain their optimism and maintain social relationships. They practice it regularly as part of the Beit Halochem organization.

Within the highly developed social system of the State of Israel, Beit Halochem holds a special place. The organization was created after the 1948 War of Independence to ensure the social integration of the twelve thousand seriously injured people registered on the Israeli side. Its "clientele" has grown during the various conflicts in which the Israeli army, IDF, has been involved.

These cycling enthusiasts meet regularly to practice their sport in Tel Aviv. But some of them, eager to discover other places and exchange their experiences, decided to visit Nantes and its surroundings this spring (remember that Transavia recently opened a regular Nantes-Tel Aviv flight). Housed aboard a barge adapted for disabled people, they will take part in five excursions of several tens of kilometers on the banks of the Erdre. This initiative is supported in France by the Association of Friends of Beit Halochem.

Samy Dreyfuss, co-organizer of the French side operation, launched an online fundraiser open until May 16 to help fund the project. The organization is also using volunteers to form a field team that will assist cycle tourists in Brittany.

E.F.