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Last update - 00:00 10/01/2007 Former ambassador to U.S. joins Nefesh B'Nefesh By Daphna Berman Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ayalon, has been appointed co-chair of Nefesh B'Nefesh, the Jerusalem-based aliya organization announced yesterday. In an interview with Haaretz following the appointment, Ayalon said, "It is not unrealistic to think of a million Jews" immigrating to Israel by 2020 - a goal he calls "important politically and strategically." "Look at Europe and there are many uncertainties there," he said. "It is a great reservoir (for aliyah)." Advertisement NBN is now active in North America and the UK, but Ayalon believes that the possibility of expanding the organization "should be discussed and analyzed." "Every country and every [Jewish] community around the globe could benefit" from the organization, he said. He would not specify a country, however. Though the position is unpaid, Ayalon insisted that he would have an active "full time" job in which he would be far more that just a figurehead. "I have been asked to advise and consult for business, but my main focus is on Nefesh," he said. "Part of the way I saw myself in Washington was not staying in the bubble in Washington, but rather reaching out and visiting communities. I intend to do that now." Ayalon said that a key focus would be "raising awareness" among the Israeli public to "open up their hearts and minds to olim [immigrants]" so that the new arrivals feel welcome here. Ayalon, whose U.S. posting came to an end in November, has been succeeded in Washington by Ambassador Sallai Meridor, who is former chair of the Jewish Agency. He will be honored Sunday at a celebration in Washington, where President George W. Bush is set to be keynote speaker. Though overall immigration rates for 2006 constituted an 18-year low, numbers from North America and the UK were the highest in more than two decades, with 3,200 and 720 arrivals respectively. Last month, the organization also celebrated the processing of its 10,000th immigrant. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Off with your seat! Likud committee bumps Feiglin down to 36th on party ticket. Trotting for the Globe Israeli animated feature 'Waltz with Bashir' nominated for Golden Globe award.   1.   If you`re serious about aliya.... 11:04  |  Kalman 11/01/07   2.   You`re so right! 12:29  |  Deana 11/01/07   3.   #1 funny... 14:07  |  Itsik 11/01/07   4.   1, 2, 3 14:51  |  Dara 11/01/07   5.   1 2 3 4 15:30  |  JL 11/01/07   6.   very easy to help olim 15:45  |  enrico israel 11/01/07   7.   Changing countries is not easy. 16:31  |  Michael A. Shoemaker 11/01/07   8.   My experience 19:38  |  ian 11/01/07   9.   My experience 21:58  |  Daniel Oleh Chadash 11/01/07   10.   Hey - What`s with all the Negativity? 22:06  |  Eli 11/01/07   11.   Luring in? 22:35  |  Axel 11/01/07   12.   emailed Mr Ayalon for action 22:43  |  grandmother 11/01/07   13.   Gearing up for more of the Mrs. Alkobi type 23:06  |  Yaakov Sullivan 11/01/07   14.   Aliya 23:17  |  Daniel 11/01/07   15.   J.F.K. 00:18  |  Peter 12/01/07   16.   Hear, Hear, No. 14 02:46  |  Alison 12/01/07   17.   Uncernainties 12:08  |  Stella 24/01/07   18.   Former ambassador to U.S. joins Nefesh B`Nefesh 01:28  |  Rex 22/11/07   19.   forget, help, courtesy, brotherhood, community 02:09  |  Rex 22/11/07   20.   aliya 19:49  |  lev 13/12/08

Read & React Iran irate after Sarkozy rules out shaking Ahmadinejad's hand Responses: 163 Palestinians: Israel asked to annex 6.8% of West Bank Responses: 94 IDF soldiers critically wound Palestinian youth with rubber-coated bullet Responses: 86 Livni: It isn't possible to bring every soldier home Responses: 63 Carter discusses Mideast peace prospects with Assad in Syria Responses: 59 More Headlines 18:00 Barak: Shalit is one of the reasons to refrain from launching Gaza offensive 20:06 Carter, In Damascus, predicts improved U.S.-Syria ties under Obama 18:07 In Gulf meet, Gates warns U.S. opponents: Don't test Obama 07:36 Palestinians: Israel asked to annex 6.8% of West Bank 17:45 Iran: We have proof U.S. and Britain support terror group 11:27 Rice: Bush not done working on Israeli-Palestinian issue 15:42 50 years on, Holocaust survivor defends Rudolph Kastner 19:26 Israeli author Amos Oz: Arab-Israeli conflict kept alive be fanatics 07:47 IDF soldiers critically wound Palestinian youth with rubber-coated bullet 12:59 Report: Group attacks Saudi airline office in Iran to protest Saudi peace plan 08:16 U.S. Army sends American-Israeli woman to Afghanistan 06:12 Egyptian guards kill African man trying to cross into Israel 17:16 Ahmadinejad: Israel at end of line, will soon fade away 13:28 Amira Hass returns to Gaza after a two-year absence 12:13 Palestinian poll: 40 percent of Gaza residents wish to emigrate Previous Editions Select Day 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 01 dec 30 nov

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