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Last update - 06:05 06/05/2008 400 olim welcomed in gala event marking Int'l Aliyah Day By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel, Aliyah The Immigration Absorption Ministry and the Jewish Agency on Monday welcomed some 400 new immigrants from around the world in a gala ceremony marking International Aliyah Day. The ceremony was held at 3 P.M. at Ben Gurion International Airport in honor of the hundreds of immigrants who arrived from 23 countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa Russia and France. Immigrants who arrived Monday were eligible for a package of special immigration benefits, including extra baggage allowance, temporary free housing for young olim, 60 hours of guided tours around Israel, as well as a number of other excursions and events. Advertisement Nearly 3 million people have immigrated to Israel since the country's founding in 1948, roughly one third of which immigrated during the 1990s. Some 300 people immigrated from India in 2006 - a fivefold increase from 2005. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, since 2002 - the year in which the major wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union came to an end - there has been a consistent downward trend in immigration. In 2006, immigration was down to 1980s levels, during which time 9,000-24,000 people immigrated annually. In 2006, only 2.7 people immigrated for every 1,000 veteran residents. In 1990-91, at the height of immigration from the former Soviet Union, that figure stood at an average of 35 per 1,000, and from 1990-2001, it averaged 17 per 1,000. Starting in 2003, that figure fell to below 3.8 per 1,000 - also the rate during 1980-89, the period of lowest immigration in Israel's history. The Jewish Agency announced earlier this year that it was planning to close one of its most historically important branches, the Immigration and Absorption Department, as part of a radical restructuring plan. The Agency has been taking punches from every direction in recent years; politically, organizationally and [in terms of] its image," a senior Agency official said. Donations made by individuals in the U.S. Jewish community, which account for two-thirds of the Agency's annual budget, have been in steady decline in recent years. Many philanthropists have opted to give their money to private groups like Taglit-Birthright Israel, which organizes free tours of Israel for Jewish young adults, or Nefesh B'Nefesh, which focuses solely on "revitalizing" immigration. Nefesh B'Nefesh claims that its waiting list has 20,000 Jews who want to move to Israel. Related articles: Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles Israel welcomes largest group of Iran olim since Islamic Revolution 'One day they told me I'm no longer Jewish' Russian-Israelis abroad unaware repatriation program targets them Paris Jewish community leader concerned over mass aliyah Bookmark to del.icio.us   Shimon goes green Peres says to fight terror Israel should reduce its dependence on oil. Voices of heroism IDF releases audio recordings from famed 1976 Entebbe raid.   1.   If this isn`t racism, what is? 19:37  |  Tory 05/05/08   2.   Maybe, but 20:13  |  Rodrigo 05/05/08   3.   they must be mad 20:48  |  citizen Joe 05/05/08   4.   #1 Tory , your misguidedness is screeming 20:52  |  TOMY 05/05/08   5.   Tory, by what right do you live in NJ? 21:28  |  Gad 05/05/08   6.   Welcome to Israel! We are giving it all away, get out! 21:54  |  smarter then Olmert 05/05/08   7.   3 MIL in & 7 MIL Refugees 22:29  |  Michael 05/05/08   8.   Tory is so misguided 03:02  |  JoeyB 06/05/08   9.   Tory, you utter dolt 03:46  |  al-kafir al-yahudi 06/05/08   10.   Michael, the source of instability is: 03:47  |  al-kafir al-yahudi 06/05/08   11.   Welcome Home.. 04:27  |  Ben 06/05/08   12.   #1 04:32  |  Jane 06/05/08   13.   #1 nice benefits package indeed--sounds desperate to me! 07:52  |  hala 06/05/08   14.   Tory: Brits antisemitics attacks are!!!! 21:50  |  Alain 06/05/08

Read & React PA official: No Israeli partner in light of latest Olmert probe Responses: 94 Moshe Arens: Is Olmert pushing for peace at any price? Responses: 58 Daphna Golan: When will we listen to the Palestinians' suffering? Responses: 141 Soldier killed in Lebanon War 'finally promoted to rank of Jew' Responses: 83 Rosner's Domain Why progressives don't like Israel (WTR) Poll: If Olmert is gone, who should be PM? The Democrats are fighting over Iran Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal How people die in Gaza? (WTR) More Headlines 21:02 Sirens wail as Israel remembers its fallen soldiers, terror victims 20:43 PA official: No Israeli partner in light of latest Olmert probe 18:20 State upholds gag on Olmert probe; details emerge in U.S. media 20:12 World Likud chief calls for cancellation of Nakba Day procession 19:44 Attorney for ex-aide in Olmert probe: State using her to get to PM 17:53 8 Jerusalem youths arrested for allegedly stabbing 2 Israeli Arabs 19:24 Court orders state to explain why citizenship law won't be reversed 16:09 Barak: Probe will not affect Olmert's political decisions 14:24 Polish police: Kuwaiti envoy's son held 3 Jewish teens captive 15:41 Palestinian forces kill bystander in clash with Jenin gunmen 16:47 Israel at 60: Population nears 7.3 million, 76% Jewish 20:26 TA court sentences 'DNA Rapist' to 25 years in prison Previous Editions Select Day 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr

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