May 11, 2003
9 Iyar, 5763
JerusalemGiant Jewish Agency Israel Aliyah Fair Going on in Buenos Aires. Thousands Attending. Fair will Continue this Week in Rosario, Cordoba, Chile and Montevideo
A delegation of Israeli Businessmen, Municipality Representatives participate. Last night thousands of youths marched in torch light parade and ceremony for Israel
Thousands are attending the Expo-Aliyah Jewish Agency Aliyah and Israel information fair in Buenos Aires, reports Jewish Agency Head of Mission to Latin America, Aryeh Abir. Lines of prospective immigrants are extending for hundreds of meters from the Hall. A delegation of 40 Israelis, including 20 businessmen in real estate and enterprises have traveled at their own expense to inform prospective immigrants of housing and employment opportunities. Likewise officials from the Absorption Ministry, and representatives from several Israeli cities and towns are participating in the two-day fair. From Buenos Aires, the fair will travel to Rosario, Cordoba, Chile and Montevideo.
Argentine Jews, as most Latin American Jews, demonstrated outstanding support for Israel during the Independence Day celebrations. Last night over two thousand youths from all youth organizations paraded through the streets of Buenos Aires and held a rally with over three thousand participants. Jewish agency youth and educational Shlichin (emissaries) played a large role in the organization of this demonstration.
Throughout Latin America, there were mass celebrations of Israel's Independence Day. Mexico, Panama and Venezuela and Uruguay held large-scale festivities. The major celebrations were in Argentina. On Memorial Day 6 May, the Jewish community held services at cemeteries where memorial prayers for fallen IDF soldiers and special prayers for IDF soldiers of Argentine origin, who fell in the line of duty were recited. A Keren Hayesod delegation from Toronto participated in the ceremony, 6,000 individuals took part in a manifestation of solidarity and salute to Israel at the Independence Day celebration, held on the afternoon of Independence Day and following night. The Head of the Jewish Agency's Delegation to Latin America, Adv. Aryeh Abir was given the honor of opening the ceremony, which the Jewish community organized. Israel's Ambassador to Argentina spoke at the ceremony, and a special message from Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, was read. 3,000 attended a similar salute to Israel in Uruguay.
For Additional Information contact Aryeh Azoulay 0054-911-54142637
or Yehuda Weinraub 053-927017For 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