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Distinguished guests,
Aliyah, the Jewish people’s right of return to their homeland, stands as a unique phenomenon in the world. While immigration is a common practice, no other nation grants full residency rights solely based on an ancient and profound historical connection.
The right to belong to the Jewish people is a legacy inherited through generations, carrying with it a moral imperative to assist our brethren in the diaspora.
This deep commitment is further exemplified by Government Decision 1736 of June 22, 2014, which determined, in collaboration with national institutions, the establishment of a “National Project to Encourage Aliyah from All Countries of the World.”
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in conjunction with the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency, and Keren Hayesod, this project has brought approximately 200,000 new immigrants to Israel over the past decade – a number equivalent to the population of a major Israeli city.
I am profoundly honored to have been involved in this project since its inception and to lead an organization dedicated to such a noble mission.
The challenges of encouraging aliyah are numerous, and I am certain that these years, marked by a surge in antisemitism worldwide, will bring new obstacles — alongside new opportunities to increase the number of immigrants.
I am filled with unwavering faith that, together with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and our partners in the national institutions, we will continue to leverage the expertise of Ofek Israeli and achieve new milestones, both numbers-wise and in terms of preparing immigrants for integration into Israeli society.
With blessings of continued action and ever-growing success,
בברכת נעשה ונצליח (be’vrachat na’aseh venatzliach)
Dganit Sanker-Lange,
Board Chairwoman/ Chairperson, Ofek Israeli
Ofek Israeli Ltd. is a public benefit company established by the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel, led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The company’s vision, as per the 2015 government decision, is to serve as the national project to encourage Aliyah (immigration to Israel) from all countries around the world. Since its establishment nine years ago, approximately 200,000 immigrants from 28 countries have made Aliyah. The company funds activities to encourage Aliyah, with an annual budget amounting to tens of millions of shekels, operated through the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization.
“Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather our exiles, and gather us together from the four corners of the earth into our land. Blessed are You, Lord, who gathers the dispersed of His people Israel.” (Amidah Prayer)
The return of the Jewish people to their land from the four corners of the earth is an unprecedented miracle in human history. As a veteran immigrant myself, I feel a tremendous honour in leading Ofek Israeli, a company dedicated to encouraging Aliyah among the Jewish diaspora. Since the founding of the State of Israel, over 3.4 million Jews have made Aliyah. Ofek Israeli, led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and in close cooperation with national institutions, has proven itself as an essential professional entity in achieving success in the field of Aliyah encouragement. Ofek Israeli is preparing for new opportunities and challenges in the wake of Operation “Iron Swords” and, together with its partners, is working to build a strategy to bring tens of thousands of Jews from around the world in the coming years. I would like to thank the Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Mr. Ofir Sofer, and the heads of the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, and Keren Hayesod for their trust in me in leading the company along with its employees.
Aryeh Abitbul
CEO, Ofek Israeli
Aliyah Encouragement Company (PBC)
Ofek Israeli Ltd. is a public benefit company established by the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel, led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The company’s vision, as per the 2015 government decision, is to serve as the national project to encourage Aliyah (immigration to Israel) from all countries around the world. Since its establishment nine years ago, approximately 200,000 immigrants from 28 countries have made Aliyah. The company funds activities to encourage Aliyah, with an annual budget amounting to tens of millions of shekels, operated through the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization.