March 15, 2003
11 Adar II, 5763
Jerusalem

Presidential Visit to Jewish Agency &
World Zionist Organization in Jerusalem

President Katsav and IDF immigrant soldier Alexandra Ravichiva during the President’s visit to Jewish Agency Headquarters.

"Please join us at the President's Mansion for the seder," President Moshe Katsav told Alexandra Ravichiva, an IDF soldier, who is in Israel on her own and preparing for conversion at the Jewish Agency course. "The Jewish Agency should be considered a 'Second House of Parliament' and should be consulted by the Knesset on legislation affecting the

Jewish People. "The Parents of Every soldier drafted into the IDF should be awarded Israeli citizenship. Aliyah from the West is a National Priority for Israel; to attract Western Immigrants the Government of Israel should offer them challenges not just financial assistance.

"We must do more to promote Jewish education; unfortunately only a small percentage of Jewish children receive any Jewish education. The Rabbinical authorities should facilitate the Conversion process. But on the other hand Israel should not actively seek out Non-Jews who do not want to consider themselves part of the Jewish People." These are some of the remarks made by President of the State of Israel, Moshe Katsav, in a visit to the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization today (13 March).

President Katsav toured the National Institutions in Jerusalem today to learn first hand about the activities of the Agency and the World Zionist Organization. He was hosted by Jewish Agency Chairman, Sallai Meridor, Treasurer Shai Hermesh, and Director-General, Giora Romm who reported on the gamut of the Agency's activities in the fields of Aliyah, Jewish Education, creating partnerships with Diaspora communities, regional development and the Israel Emergency Fund.

During his visit, the President met new immigrants and volunteers who are participating in various Jewish Agency programs: a Hebrew ulpan, the Institute of Jewish Studies conversion preparation course, Magen David Adom emergency medical services, the Zionist Youth Council, and national service at the Central Zionist Archives relative search bureau. The Director of the Jewish Agency's Delegation to Western Europe, Mr. Menachem Gourary briefed the President on immigration from France, which last year increased to two and a half times that of the preceding year. French olim are young (over 70% are under 35 years of age) well motivated) and well connected to Israel and the Jewish people.

The President conversed by a videoconference hookup with a group of French Jews who will immigrate next week. He allayed fears and expressed confidence about their ability to succeed. The door of the Jewish Agency and the President's office will be open to assist you," he told a masters student in near east studies with whom he spoke. "My own parents paid a price when they immigrated to Israel, but f they didn't pay this price their son would not have been President of the State of Israel," he said.

Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor presented President Katsav with drawings made by olim children, documents of aliyah from Iran and with a 1951 Kupat Cholim (HMO) document in which Moshe Katsav then a young immigrant from Iran was registered under the name "Moishele."

On other matters, President Katsav said that he hoped that the "Zionization Process" of the Hareidi Jewish community would not stop because they were not part of the Government. He likewise stressed that Israel would not consent to a Palestinian state as long as terror attacks are continuing.

During his visit, the President met 22 year-old Alexandra Ravichiva, an IDF soldier who immigrated on her own from Russia two years ago. She is serving with a unit in Hebron, and is undergoing preparation for conversion. When the President asked Alexandra where she plans to spend the seder, she answered, "On the base, I guess." He responded, "You are invited to spend seder night with me and my

family at the President's Mansion. She was moved to tears by the invitation and responded affirmatively.

http://www.isracast.com for speeches by President Katsav.

For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013