October 26, 1999
16 Cheshvan, 5760
Jerusalem

Prime Minister Ehud Barak: The Jewish Agency for Israel is the primary vehicle for maintaining the connection between the State of Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora.

Prime Minister Barak made this statement at the first meeting of the coordinating committee between the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel which took place on Tuesday night at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem.

Barak said high priority must be given to promoting Israel Experience programs and to Jewish education in the Diaspora in order to preserve the Jewish people and to ensure success in the struggle against assimilation.

The Prime Minister established a joint committee of representatives from the Government, the Jewish Agency and the Diaspora Jewish community (The Committee of Eight) in order to ensure coordination in setting the National priorities and allocation of funds raised for Israel by the United Jewish Communities and Keren Hayesod Campaigns. The Israeli Government representatives are the Interior Minister Natan Sharansky, Minister without Portfolio responsible for Diaspora Affairs Rabbi Michael Melchior, the Director General of the Prime Ministers Office Yossi Kucik and the Cabinet Secretary Yitzhak Herzog.

During the meeting Prime Minister Barak suggested initiating a joint personal appeal from Israel to every recognized Jewish household in the Diaspora on the eve of the New Millennium so as to strengthen the connection between the State of Israel and the Diaspora as one Jewish family.

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Sallai Meridor said in the meeting that all parties must strive to create a world Jewish bond with Israel as the center. He added that very important challenges are facing the Jewish people among them the continued effort to bring Jews to Israel and to save the next generation from assimilation by deepening Jewish Zionist education in the Diaspora and in Israel.

Meridor added that the Government's support of the Jewish Agency's activities and an increase in cooperation with the Government is vital for the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Meridor thanked Prime Minister Barak for the meeting on behalf of himself and the representatives of the Jewish people.

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