More than 500 North American Jews arrived in Israel on Wednesday on two chartered flights from New York and Toronto, the largest number of immigrants in a single day.

As part of a joint initiative of immigration assistance program Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency, the immigrants  were in high spirits.

Many explained that while they are concerned about security, they prefer living in the Jewish state to the Diaspora.

"I am afraid, but my desire to live in Israel is the strongest desire I have, and it overpowers all of my other fears," Marni Urman from Canada told Israeli daily Ha'aretz."This is where I belong."

The immigrants are the first of some 3,200 North American Jews projected to arrive in Israel this summer.

Amid cheers from friends, relatives, the immigrants touched down to a festive welcoming ceremony attended by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and Jewish Agency chairman Zeev Bielski.

"Ala (immigration) is the primary goal of our government, the future of our great people," Sharon said.

"Life in Israel is not always easy, but I promise you we will do all we can to assist you on your journey home."

There are about 5.6 million Jews living in Israel, which has been encouraging immigration of Jews around the world to cement its future as a Jewish state.