(IsraelNN.com) Approximately 600 new immigrants (olim) from France will land in Israel on Wednesday morning, July 25. A gala welcome ceremony is planned.

On hand to greet the olim upon their arrival at the airport will be the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, Chairman of the Jewish Agency Zeev Bielski, founder of the
There has been an increase of 10% in the number of new immigrants from France.
Aliyah et Meilleure Integration (AMI) organization Pierre Besnainou, Minister of Immigrant Absorption Yaakov Edri, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger, mayors and other dignitaries. A festive welcome ceremony will take place at the airport.

The new immigrants, including many young families, will be arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport simultaneously on two separate planes. The flights will originate from Paris and Marseille. The coordinated operation to bring such a large group from France at one time is a joint effort of AMI and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Most of the immigrants arriving on Wednesday will be moving initially to Jerusalem, Netanya and Ashdod, according to the Jewish Agency. Many of them have family already living in Israel.

Since the beginning of 2007, there has been an increase of 10% in the number of new immigrants from France relative to the same period last year. By the end of the year, more than 3,000 new immigrants from France are expected to come to Israel. 2,900 Jews made Aliyah from France in 2006.

There are currently approximately 600,000 Jews in France, representing about 1% of the population. A surge in anti-Semitic attacks in the country has led to an increase in emigration, with a significant number opting to settle in Israel.