2 Tevet, 5762
Jerusalem

Sallai Meridor at the  Herzliya Conference:
"It is Critical that the Government of Israel Participate in Strengthening Jewish Education in the Diaspora". "We Must Not Change the Law of Return."

"Three factors will influence the future of the Jewish People in Israel and abroad: the size of the family, Jewish education, and aliya," said Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor at the Herzliya Conference on the Balance of National Strength and Security. Meridor called on the Government of Israel to take personal and national responsibility for integrating many more Jewish youth into Jewish educational systems and for improving the level of instruction. The same goes for higher education, Meridor said. Our universities should open their doors Jewish students from abroad at reasonable tuition rates.

Concerning aliyah Meridor announced that 58,000 new immigrants came to Israel since the beginning of the Palestinian violence. In October 2000. 822 immigrants arrived this week. 75% of the new immigrants are still from the Former Soviet Union, but great potential lies in immigration from Western countries. We must encourage Jewish immigration from France, Latin America , Great Britain and even the United States.

Meridor decried any attempt to change the Law of Return. "Any such change would be a terrible mistake. We should rather change the attitude of the Rabbinical establishment towards conversion, and facilitate the entrance into the fold of the thousands who had been denied contact with their Jewish culture."

For additional information contact Yehuda Weinraub, 055-284805.