November 20, 2002
15 Kislev, 5763
Jerusalem  

Director General of the Prime Ministers Office: " World Wide Jewry is a Strategic Asset for the State of Israel and Strengthening its Security

Director General of the Prime Ministers Office, Avigdor Yitzhaki, issued a directive to cabinet ministers and Directors General of ministries declaring that he wishes to continue and deepen the partnership with World Jewry in the fields in which the Jewish Agency operates.

"World Jewry has proven time and time again that it constitutes a strategic asset in building the country and strengthening its security. Even now during the present crisis, World Jewry has come forth in helping Israel with the Israel Emergency Campaign, solidarity missions, most important thousand of immigrants who continue to arrive. The goals of this government revolve around issues of Aliyah, absorption, and deepening Jewish Identity and Jewish Zionist and strengthening bonds and partnerships with Jewish Communities for the building of the State of Israel", the Director General wrote.

In addition, Director General said "the Government’s work with Diaspora Jewry takes place by the Prime Ministers office in cooperation the Jewish Agency in accordance with the 1979 Convention between the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Agency Status law. We in the Prime Ministers Office will continue in this approach and will stress the same goals (increasing Aliyah, strengthening absorption, and Jewish and Zionist education)."

Jewish Agency Chairman, Sallai Meridor said, "the importance of Diaspora Jewry is especially great at this juncture. The encouragement and the support that Israel gets from Jewish communities all over the world is testimony to the fact the World Jewry supports us. The Government of Israeli is a partner with the Jewish Agency in achieving these high goals."

The annual "General Assembly" of the United Jewish Communities, has opened in Philadelphia, under the banner Justice, Justice, you will pursue" with the active participation of the Jewish Agency. During the GA, the following subjects will be discussed: the demographic changes in the Jewish communities, the relationship between the Jewish Federations and the State of Israel, the Israel Emergency Campaign, and worldwide anti-Semitism.

For additional information please contact the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013