December 23, 2010

Some 1,000 new immigrants, from 25 countries, will arrive in Israel on special flights arranged by the Jewish Agency for Israel before the end of 2010, the agency said in a statement. Some of the flights and the reception of the new immigrants are organized in cooperation with Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

New immigrants from South Africa and Australia were scheduled to receive their national identity cards in a ceremony Dec. 22 near the Western Wall.

“The new immigrants contribute to the strength of Israeli society and the strength of the connection between Jewish communities of the diaspora and the State of Israel,” said Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency. “We welcome every new immigrant who has decided to come live in Israel and build their future and their children’s future here.” — jta