May 6, 2008 / 1 Iyar 5768

Some 400 new immigrants from 23 countries around the world arrived in Israel yesterday (Monday, May 5), as part of a national Aliyah Day in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, in a project coordinated by the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Some 200 of the new olim came from Moscow, 60 from France and the rest from countries ranging from the US, Italy and South Africa, to Honduras and Turkey.

In addition, 100 parents of lone soldiers currently serving in the IDF also arrived in Israel yesterday as part of Keshet, a Jewish Agency program which brings parents to Israel to visit their children in the army.

"This is a holiday and a day of joy for the State of Israel," said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski who greeted the newcomers at Ben Gurion Airport.

Above: Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski dancing with Minister of
Immigrant Absorption Jacob Edry at a welcoming for new immigrants from France
who just arrived at Ben Gurion Airport as part of Israel's Aliyah Day (Monday May 5).

Below: Lone immigrant soldiers (with Israeli schoolchildren) ready to greet their
parents at Ben Gurion Airport (Monday, May 5). The Jewish Agency brought 100 parents
of lone soldiers from abroad to visit with their children currently enlisted in the IDF.