In firefights and battles that took place yesterday, eight soldiers lost their lives. Two additional soldiers were kidnapped by Hizbollah terrorists. This morning, a young woman was killed when a rocket landed directly on her house in Nahariya. In Gaza, the fighting and military operations continue to bring forth the release of Gilad Shalit.

At present, Israel is fighting on two fronts – in Lebanon and Gaza. I put my full trust and faith in the determination of the Government of Israel, led by Ehud Olmert, to defend the country and her citizens and moreover, to retaliate accordingly.

I am confident that the strength of the citizens of Israel - who have been faced with difficult times such as these - will shine through and they will continue to hold their heads up high in the face of such uncertainty.  In these hours and days, we need, more than ever, to unite the global Jewish population to strengthen our morale and hearts as to the rightness of our ways and in our commitment to the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

I am in constant contact with our people in the field and would like to inform you that from the moment the situation began in the north, the Jewish Agency has been working on a variety of fronts. First, we have been acting to secure the safety of some 2300 new immigrants, the majority from Ethiopia who have been here just a short while, spread among six absorption centers throughout the north. With the help of the dedicated staff of the Jewish Agency and the support of volunteers, we are working to ease the tension and anxiety of the immigrants, to provide for their every need, to organize activities for the children and adults alike and in general, to do whatever we can to make it easier for them during the difficult hours within the shelters.

In a similar way, were are working with the Amigour Company to provide services to some 350 immigrants, mostly elderly, who live in rent controlled apartments and public housing in the north.

Today I conducted a series of phone calls with mayors of cities in the region in order to receive a clear understanding of the needs of the residents and to prepare ourselves accordingly to extend aid and help, the most important recipients of which are the children who are on their summer vacation.

I am also in constant contact with the leaders of Jewish Organizations, among them the UJC and Keren Hayesod, in order to update them on the latest developments as well as to secure their support for an emergency campaign to help the citizens of Israel in this hour of need.

We have opened the “Situation Room” of the Jewish Agency - which works 24 hours a day, seven days a week - to the families of Jews from all over the world whose sons and daughters are participating in programs or are here as tourists, in order to help them contact their loved ones throughout the country.

The phone number of the Jewish Agency Situation Room is as follows: 972 2 6202202.

My colleagues in the Jewish Agency and I are here at your service for anything you may need. Do not hesitate to call me directly on my cell phone (972) 52 3600009 or contact me through email zeevik@jafi.org and I will do everything in my power to provide aid and assistance.

I am positive that together, hand in hand, united in these hours and days, we will overcome the challenges before us regarding the protection of the State of Israel and the safety of all of her citizens.

Respectfully Yours,

Zeev Bielski
Chairman of the Executive

Photo Credit: YNET / Photographers: Hagai Aharon and Doron Golan