July 26, 2007 / 11 Av 5767

Six hundred new immigrants arrived on July 25 in Israel on two special flights from France, constituting the single largest group of immigrants to arrive in Israel this year, in a coordinated effort of the Jewish Agency for Israel and AMI, a French organization which promotes aliyah.

Immigration from France is expected to reach a 26-year high, with an expected 3,200 French Jews moving to Israel this year, the largest immigration since 1971. The number represents a 10 percent increase over last year, which saw 2,900 French immigrants.

Many of the new immigrants will move to Jerusalem, Netanya and Ashdod as part of the communal integration program, an initiative of the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Absorption which offers immigrants the option of moving to established communities with residents of similar backgrounds.

The two flights, one from Paris and one from Marseilles, arrived simultaneously at Ben Gurion airport and the newcomers were greeted by Israel’s President Shimon Peres, Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, Absorption Minister Yaakov Edri, Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski, AMI founder Pierre Besnainou and Keren Hayesod Chairman Avi Pazner.

“Today is a holiday for Israel,” said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski at the airport ceremony. “The day 600 Jews join us in Israel is a holiday.”

“I can’t promise you it will be easy, but it won’t be dull either,” said Shimon Peres, in his first public appearance since being sworn in as Israel’s president.

“Several years ago Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called on the Jews of France to immigrate to Israel,” said Pierre Besnainou, founder of AMI (Aliyah et Meilleure Integration). “He didn’t say to escape France; he said to choose to move to Israel. Today that vision is being fulfilled.”