Despite the security situation, Aliya (immigration to Israel) continues. According to Jewish Agency
figures 41,224 new immigrants (32,660 of them from the FSU) have arrived in Israel since the start of the Oslo war. Jewish Agency statistics also reveal that in spite of the threat of violence, over 1,000 immigrants chose to settle in the embattled areas of Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza). The most popular townships in Yesha chosen by the newcomers are Kochav Hashachar, Hinanit, Eli, Gedid, Beit Yatir, Kochav Ya’akov, Shavei Shomron. For example, a group of 43 new immigrants from Mexico arrived this week in Israel to settle in the town of Kochav Ya’akov, just north of Jerusalem.
Rafael Dagan who immigrated from France last week and settled in the Yesha village of Kochav Hashachar, says that his town is a beautiful place and “it’s as if we’re living in Paris. This is the Land of Israel and people have to come and live here. If, for example, many more Jews came to live in Hevron, we wouldn\'t be having the problem that we have there now.”
The Aliyah figures from North America rose during the month of July and the beginning of August, and Aliyah during the first half of 2001 has remained comparable to that of last year. “We had feared that the unrest and uncertainty would adversely affect Aliyah. However, we were pleasantly surprised,” said Akiva Werber, the Jewish Agency official responsible for North American Aliyah. “The figures show that the immigrants are motivated by positive ideological considerations and strong attachment to Israel.”
Last year, some 12,050 immigrants came from North America and an additional 550 North Americans changed their status to immigrant in Israel. According to the Jewish Agency stats, many of the North American immigrants are well-educated professionals, with enterprising spirit.
figures 41,224 new immigrants (32,660 of them from the FSU) have arrived in Israel since the start of the Oslo war. Jewish Agency statistics also reveal that in spite of the threat of violence, over 1,000 immigrants chose to settle in the embattled areas of Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza). The most popular townships in Yesha chosen by the newcomers are Kochav Hashachar, Hinanit, Eli, Gedid, Beit Yatir, Kochav Ya’akov, Shavei Shomron. For example, a group of 43 new immigrants from Mexico arrived this week in Israel to settle in the town of Kochav Ya’akov, just north of Jerusalem.
Rafael Dagan who immigrated from France last week and settled in the Yesha village of Kochav Hashachar, says that his town is a beautiful place and “it’s as if we’re living in Paris. This is the Land of Israel and people have to come and live here. If, for example, many more Jews came to live in Hevron, we wouldn\'t be having the problem that we have there now.”
The Aliyah figures from North America rose during the month of July and the beginning of August, and Aliyah during the first half of 2001 has remained comparable to that of last year. “We had feared that the unrest and uncertainty would adversely affect Aliyah. However, we were pleasantly surprised,” said Akiva Werber, the Jewish Agency official responsible for North American Aliyah. “The figures show that the immigrants are motivated by positive ideological considerations and strong attachment to Israel.”
Last year, some 12,050 immigrants came from North America and an additional 550 North Americans changed their status to immigrant in Israel. According to the Jewish Agency stats, many of the North American immigrants are well-educated professionals, with enterprising spirit.