PM Netanyahu
PM Netanyahu

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the opening session of the Jewish Agency convention in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Calling for a reversal of the "brain drain" from Israel, Netanyahu noted that Israel has the highest rate of per-capita Nobel Prize winners.



"We are also producing more patents, with our 7 million people, than the 2.5 billion people of Russia, China, and India combined," he added.

Natan Sharansky addressed the body for the first time in his new capacity as Jewish Agency Chairman, explaining that Netanyahu had been a great help to his wife Avital when she worked tirelessly to secure her husband Natan's release from Soviet prison - as well as a great inspiration to Jews around the world with his speeches in the United Nations as Israel's Ambassador to the UN.

"The future of the Jewish nation lies right here, in the State of Israel," Sharansky said. "We have the ability to overcome the problems, of which we have many..."  Speaking of the international difficulties of hunger, water, and the like, Netanyahu said, "Our job is not only to reverse the brain drain, but also to bring the finest Jewish minds to here - so that they can contribute to solving not only our own problems, but also those of the entire world."

"In the coming weeks and months," Netanyahu said, "I wish to work with you on how to bring the best Jewish minds to Israel for the benefit of the world. This is just a promo."