A group of 30 prospective olim (new immigrants) from Uruguay will arrive in Israel this week for a week-long Jewish Agency "pilot tour" to explore absorption opportunities here. The group will examine living, work, and study options. The Jewish Agency also reports that during the coming week, 306 immigrants are expected to arrive. Of these, 71 are from Russia, 63 from the former Soviet Union and the Southern Caucasus, 60 from Argentina, 43 from Ukraine, 41 from Ethiopia, and 21 from France.
The government approved today a decision to grant "immigration baskets" to all new immigrants - and not only to those who come from economically-troubled areas. New olim from countries such as the U.S. and Western Europe will be eligible for the benefits beginning from December. Housing Minister Natan Sharansky called the decision "historic."
Two weeks ago, when Deputy Absorption Minister Yuli Edelstein of Yisrael B'Aliyah originally reached an agreement on this matter with Prime Minister Sharon, Arutz-7 quoted Edelstein as follows:
"For some reason, there is a feeling here that immigrants from western countries are all rich and don't need any help. The fact is, however, that when a private organization [Nefesh B'Nefesh] took the initiative this year to raise money for young couples and families from the United States to pay back some loans, it was able to bring in a full planeload of over 400 new immigrants. Our decision is a step in the same direction."
The basket is worth roughly $7,500-10,500, depending on the size of the family. Prime Minister Sharon said today that every effort must be made to increase Aliyah, including from the West. "Aliyah is the real answer to all our problems," he said.
The government approved today a decision to grant "immigration baskets" to all new immigrants - and not only to those who come from economically-troubled areas. New olim from countries such as the U.S. and Western Europe will be eligible for the benefits beginning from December. Housing Minister Natan Sharansky called the decision "historic."
Two weeks ago, when Deputy Absorption Minister Yuli Edelstein of Yisrael B'Aliyah originally reached an agreement on this matter with Prime Minister Sharon, Arutz-7 quoted Edelstein as follows:
"For some reason, there is a feeling here that immigrants from western countries are all rich and don't need any help. The fact is, however, that when a private organization [Nefesh B'Nefesh] took the initiative this year to raise money for young couples and families from the United States to pay back some loans, it was able to bring in a full planeload of over 400 new immigrants. Our decision is a step in the same direction."
The basket is worth roughly $7,500-10,500, depending on the size of the family. Prime Minister Sharon said today that every effort must be made to increase Aliyah, including from the West. "Aliyah is the real answer to all our problems," he said.