230 new immigrants from North America arrived in Israel on Tuesday morning on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight.

The El Al Boeing 777 took off from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday and landed at Ben Gurion Airport shortly before 8 a.m. Israel time on Tuesday.

President Shimon Peres greeted the immigrants as they disembarked from the aircraft and he later spoke at the welcome ceremony.

The ceremony included a performance by musician Rami Kleinstein.

The group of immigrants included 85 young adults who intend to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces.

Nefesh B'Nefesh is a nonprofit organization that handles immigration from North America and Britain along with the Jewish Agency.

In 2009, 3,814 immigrants arrived from North America, the highest number since 1983.

The first quarter of 2010 saw a 20 percent increase in immigration from North America compared to the same period in 2009.

Immigrants from North America arriving at Ben Gurion Airport on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight.

 

President Shimon Peres poses with a group of immigrants from North America who arrived in Israel on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight on Tuesday August 3, 2010.Sasson Tiram

 

President Shimon Peres kisses a immigrant from North America who arrived in Israel on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight on Tuesday August 3, 2010.Sasson Tiram

 

President Shimon Peres poses with a group of new immigrants from North America who arrived in Israel on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight on Tuesday August 3, 2010.Sasson Timra

 

President Shimon Peres poses with a group of new immigrants from North America who arrived in Israel on a Nefesh B'Nefesh charter flight on Tuesday August 3, 2010.Sasson Timra