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Last update - 08:01 12/03/2008
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MKs launch caucus to aid immigration from the West
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By Daphna Berman, Haaretz Correspondent
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Tags: Immigration, Knesset, Israel
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Knesset caucus to promote western aliyah was formed Tuesday, amid
warnings that the unsolved ulpan dispute could leave new immigrants
without free Hebrew instruction beginning September 1, a situation that
is expected to negatively affect immigration rates.
The caucus, headed by MK Gilad Erdan (Likud) and MK Yoel Hasson
(Kadima), is aiming to reduce bureaucratic barriers surrounding aliyah,
as well as further legislation - including sizable tax breaks - to
encourage western immigration. Licensing difficulties that face a
number of immigrants as they try to establish themselves professionally
here, as well as the economic difficulties involved in relocating, are
also on the caucus agenda. "One of the issues we're looking into is
providing tax benefits for immigrants to encourage aliyah," Erdan told
Haaretz Tuesday at the caucus launch.
"If a lawyer comes to Israel and his salary is cut in half, one
possibility is that in his first two years here, he will be exempt from
income tax. Usually, the finance minister isn't willing to talk about
these issues, but if enough Knesset members get involved, we can put
this on the agenda. Two years of exemption from income tax can be the
difference in whether someone decides to make aliyah or not."
Government officials, however, warned that with the looming ulpan
crisis, western aliyah remains in danger - despite positive intentions
aimed at assisting immigrants. In December, the Education Ministry
announced it was handing over the responsibility for the ulpan system
to the Absorption Ministry, a decision the Education Ministry said was
the result of painful budget cuts.
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The
two offices set up an inter-ministerial committee to examine the issue,
but little progress has been made, officials say. "As of today, come
September 1, a new immigrant will not get even one minute of ulpan
study (as part of their absorption basket)," Erez Halfon, director
general of the Absorption Ministry said at Tuesday's launch. Halfon
said that the Absorption Ministry is working hard to find a solution to
the problem, but added that at this stage, "there is reason for worry."
About a dozen MKs, representing most of the Knesset factions, are
expected to be active in the caucus, officials said. Tuesday's launch
brought together ministry representatives, as well as officials from
the Jewish Agency, Nefesh B'Nefesh, and AMI, the French aliyah
organization. Immigrant groups like the Association of Americans and
Canadians in Israel (AACI) and Telfed, the South African Zionist
Federation, were also present.
The caucus, which is now hoping to become a clearing house of sorts, is expected to convene again next month.
Related articles:
As Iranian immigration booms, Telfed assists new residents
Absorbing Hebrew language teaching
Immigration to Israel in 2007 down 6%, at its lowest since 1989
Gov't planning to close most ulpans, privatize Hebrew studies
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