By Limor Regev

 
Some 800 young new immigrants from the FSU, Latin America, Ethiopia, Western Europe and other countries who are in Israel on Jewish Agency programs in the North, and without their family, attended the event. Among the participants was a group from the Ukraine who arrived on June 5th to participate in the Kibbutz Ulpan Program in Mishmar HaEmek.

The event started at 6 p.m., at the Municipal Plaza, with a minute of silence to commemorate the young people killed by the terrorist bomb at the Dolphinarium in Tel Aviv. This was followed by an hour of performances by new immigrants and veteran Israeli and concluded with the singing of Hatikva.

At 7 p.m. the participants marched along Gilboa Street up to the Tavor Jewish Agency Absorption Center expressing their solidarity with Nazareth Illit, a city that has been extensively involved in the absorption of new immigrants from all over the world. From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. a large "Happening" took place with booths providing information on educational opportunities in Israel, an exhibition called "My Israel" and Israeli folk dancing and songs.

Today, more than ever, the arrival of new immigrants through Jewish Agency initiatives, gives us strength knowing that notwithstanding the circumstances, we shall overcome and Zionism will triumph!

Sivan 5761 - June 2001