JERUSALEM, July 13, 2005 -- 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.
