21 Iyar, 5760
Jerusalem

Jewish Agency Initiates World-Wide Delegation of Solidarity With Confrontation Line Residents to Increase Aid to the Region

The Jewish Agency has launched a special task force, made up of representatives of Jewish communities throughout the world, including leaders of the United Jewish Communities of North America, and Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal. They will arrive in Israel on Monday May 29 for a two day visit to the northern border, which will take place on Monday and Tuesday.

As a result of the dramatic changes taking place in the north of Israel the Jewish Agency for Israel decided to call upon the Jewish communities in the world to strengthen their bond with the residents of the confrontation line.

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Sallai Meridor said "The residents of the confrontation line settled this region as representatives of the entire Jewish people, many of them arrived directly as new immigrants straight from the plane which brought them to Israel and settled the land. They must not feel abandoned and it is the responsibility of the Jewish people to stand by them."

This initiative was designed to express solidarity by the entire Jewish people with the residents of the Confrontation Line, in light of the new reality following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Security Zone in South Lebanon, and to examine possibilities of increasing Jewish Agency assistance to the Confrontation Line.

In 1999, the Jewish Agency invested some $19 million dollars of assistance in the Confrontation Line region, and in the last three years more than a total of $45 million dollars. These funds were used, among other things, to develop cultural and educational programs, for the construction of public buildings, for immigrant absorption, and to strengthen settlement in the region. Jewish communities in western and central United States, Canada, Great Britain, and France are partners in this endeavor.

During the delegation's visit to the north, headed by the Chairman of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors, Alex Grass, Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, and Jewish Agency Treasurer, Chaim Chesler the representatives of the Jewish communities from North America, Europe, Latin America and Australia will visit Kiryat Shmona, Metulla, Shlomi and rural communities in the region. The delegation will also visit an absorption facility for South Lebanese Army soldiers and their families.

On Monday 29 at 3:30 p.m. the delegation will hold a press conference at the Beit Rishonim Community Center, Rehov Rishonim 1, Metulla.

For further information contact: