December 31, 2006 / 10 Tevet 5767

(From left to right): Shimon Lankri, Zeev Bielski, Ravit Barniv, Nochi Dankner.

IDB Group to cooperate with the Jewish Agency and UJC in assisting Northern and Southern Communities.  IDB Holding Chairman and CEO Nochi Dankner, promised aid for projects in the sum of 100 million NIS to be used for the reconstruction of the Galilee and the welfare of the residents of the Conflict Line in the north and south. This sum will be given as matching funds to donations contributed to the Jewish Agency through the United Jewish Communities and Keren Hayesod/ United Israel Appeal.

As a first step of this joint endeavor,  Zeev Bielski and Nochi Dankner met with Acre’s mayor, Shimon Lankri, to announce  the Jewish Agency and the IDB Group’s donation of 5 Million NIS to establish a regional tennis center for the city of Acre and the Western Galilee.

Zeev Bielski, Chairman of the Jewish Agency said: "The Jewish Agency enlisted upon the outbreak of the war to render substantial assistance to the residents of the North and has so far invested 400 million NIS in funds raised by donations to the United Jewish Communities (UJC) and Keren Hayesod/ United Israel Appeal worldwide.

The path to success passes through liaison between the government, the Jewish Agency and the business sector. The initiative of leading businessmen, with Nochi Dankner and the IDB Group in the forefront, is a praiseworthy Zionist act that will significantly contribute to closing gaps and providing opportunities to myriads of residents in the periphery. Following the agreement with IDB, the Jewish Agency will act together with the donors through the United Jewish Communities  and Keren Hayesod/ United Israel Appeal in order to raise the necessary resources to execute the projects and programs".

"The strength and prosperity of the Israeli economy are very important to us but the fate of the country lies in the unity of the people, as well as the willingness of each and every one of us to join in the effort to improve our lives and strengthen the endurance of our society. Therefore the IDB Group announced at the end of the war that in addition to the aid given to northern communities during the war, it will continue in the coming year to provide aid for projects in the sum of at least an additional 100 million NIS to be used for the reconstruction of the Galilee and the welfare of the residents of the Conflict Line in the north and south", said Nochi Dankner, Chairman of the IDB Group.

Ravit Barniv, CEO of the Netvision company of the IDB Group said : "Netvision, as a leading company in its field is proud to take part in establishing the regional tennis center in Acre. The project and its location dovetail with Netvision's approach of being a partner in contributing to the community." Barniv further stated that: "The center would comprise 9 tennis courts as well as other buildings such as a fitness center and recreational rooms. The center is the first of its type in the Western Galilee and would work at promoting excellence among teens. It would aim to increase the number of people playing tennis and improve their expertise. The center would provide another employment site for residents of the city".

The Mayor of Acre, Shimon Lankri, said: "I offer my heartfelt gratitude to my friends Nochi Dankner and Zeev Bielski for doing their utmost during the last war to aid the residents of Acre and continuing to work diligently to promote the city. I believe that the tennis center is an important project, which could contribute to Acre educationally and socially and position it as a central city in the Galilee, and as a home for sport enthusiasts in the entire region. Alongside fencing, boxing and soccer, tennis will develop and further accelerate municipal development, which in the final result stimulate an in-migration of an economically solid population to the city".