August 25, 1999
13 Elul 5759
JerusalemJewish Agency for Israel brings almost 1000 new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union to Israel in one single day
945 new immigrants from the FSU landed at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday. A record number of 342 new immigrants landed on a special flight from Moscow chartered by the Jewish Agency. Among those who arrived are also single immigrants who will join Jewish Agency programs for young people.
A special Jewish Agency chartered Transaero jet, Flight UN301 landed on Wednesday, August 25th in the morning at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel with 342 new immigrants from Moscow. During the day an expected 945 new immigrants from the FSU are expected to arrive in Israel, of whom 800 are from the Russian Federation.
The Immigration Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel reports that over the past 5 years such a record number of new immigrants from the FSU has not arrived in one day. This record number is a result of the growing trend of an increase in immigration to Israel from Russia which is growing from day to day. Furthermore JAFI is making a special effort to bring the majority of new immigrants before the Jewish New Year and festive season which follows.
As of Tuesday the number of new immigrants from Russia stood at 16,439. This is about 2,000 more new immigrants who have arrived this year from Russia than during the whole of last year (14,454). The number of new immigrants from the whole of the FSU from the beginning of the year until Tuesday increased by 38% as compared with figures from last year (35,095 as compared with 25,350 for the same period last year).
The immigrants will be absorbed in various immigration frameworks throughout Israel. 200 of the immigrants will start their studies in September in programs of the Jewish Agency for young adults. These Jewish Agency programs known as "Selah" (Students before parents) and "Chalom" (Students learning a profession) prepare the new immigrants for academic and technological studies in Israel. Another 50 single new immigrants will be absorbed in Hebrew Language Courses held on Kibbutzim.
For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706