Zionist General Council Opens (11.11) in Jerusalem

Zionist Movement will place the struggle against the new anti-Semitism at the core of its activities in the coming year. According to Jewish Agency statistics in the year 2002 over 233 violent acts took place against Jews in the world

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Sallai Meridor: We must begin an international campaign against the hatred of Israel in the world

The Zionist General Council, which is the supreme body of the Zionist parties and streams throughout the world, began its annual session in Jerusalem (11.11).

The Zionist General Council will discuss placing the issue of the fight against hatred of Israel and the new anti-Semitism at the center of the activities of the World Zionist Organization in the coming year.

Based on statistics of the Jewish Agency during the year 2002 over 233 violent acts took place against Jews in the world. France tops the list where over 80 violent incidents against Jews and Jewish institutions took place. 48 violent incidents took place in the Former Soviet Union, 30 in Belgium, 18 in Australia and New Zealand, 16 in Canada, 11 in the USA, 9 in Germany, 9 in Latin America, 7 in Great Britain and 2 in Italy.

Based on these statistics the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency for Israel, Sallai Meridor proposed that an international campaign on behalf of Zionism and against hatred of Israel and the new anti Semitism as is expressed today throughout the world and especially in Europe be initiated.

"The latest surveys published in Europe show a growing increase of anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel. Zionism must raise the call and I suggest that this will be at the center of our activities in the coming year", said Meridor.

Furthermore the Zionist General Council will discuss programs to increase immigration from the West and ways to curb the dangers of assimilation among the young generation of Jews and their lack of connection to Judaism and Israel.

For more information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Jewish Agency Liaison to the Foreign Press
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Mobile: 972-51-601706
E-mail: michaelj@jafi.org