The Jewish Agency and the Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah group are close to signing a deal, according to the Jerusalem Post. The two groups have clashed over the distribution of government resources, leading the Jewish Agency to announce last year that it would no longer work with Nefesh B’Nefesh on aliyah projects. Both groups reportedly fear that the similarity of their goals will hurt fundraising.
Nefesh B’Nefesh, a private organization, offers substantial assistance to new immigrants, and has succeeded in increasing aliyah (immigration) to Israel from the United States and England. In addition, over 95 percent of immigrants who arrive via Nefesh B’Nefesh remain in the country. The group has requested some of the semi-governmental powers granted to the Jewish Agency, such as the ability to open immigration files with the Interior Ministry.