July 21, 2009 / 29 Tammuz 5769

For the first time,

220 new immigrants from France will receive their ID cards at a special ceremony organized by the Jewish Agency and AMI at Jerusalem`s Western Wall on Wednesday July 22nd at 5pm

The new immigrants arrived in Israel on a special Jewish Agency/ El Al flight on Tuesday 21st July

220 new immigrants from France arrived on Tuesday July 21st, on a special El Al aliyah flight organized by the Jewish Agency and the AMI association that promotes aliyah from France. A total of approximately 700 new immigrants will be arriving this summer from France. By the end of 2009, the Jewish Agency expects the number of new immigrants from France to be 10% higher than last year.

On Wednesday July 22nd, at 5:00pm, at Jerusalem`s Western Wall the Jewish Agency and the AMI association will hold a special welcoming ceremony for the new immigrants. The olim will receive their ID cards in the presence of the Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive Natan Sharansky, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai, Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver and the chairman of AMI Pierre Besnainou.

This is the first time that French olim are receiving their ID cards at a special ceremony at Jerusalem`s Western Wall.This will also be the first time that the Minister of Interior is presenting ID cards to new immigrants at a ceremony at the Western Wall.

A total of 700 new immigrants will be arriving from France this summer. By the end of 2009, the Jewish Agency expects the number of new immigrants from France to be 10% higher than last year.

Over the course of the summer, there will be 20 special olim flights organized by the Jewish Agency, bringing approximately 3000 new immigrants to Israel from countries around the world including the Untied States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, former Soviet Union, Latin American countries, South Africa and Ethiopia. A total of more than 5000 new immigrants are expected to arrive this summer.

The Jewish Agency expects a 15% increase in aliyah this year as compared to 2008.

Photo Credit: Daniel Cohen/Jewish Agency