THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION UNIT
8 May 2002
900,000 HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SOLIDARITY RALLIES ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL DURING
OPERATION DEFENSIVE SHIELD

The Jewish Agency will publish a weekly solidarity report as part of its
efforts to encourage Jewish communities to demonstrate their support for
Israel.

900,000 Jews (and non-Jews) in 94 cities throughout the world have
participated in solidarity rallies on behalf of Israel during Operation
Defensive Shield. Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor presented these
figures appearing in a Jewish Agency report, at the last session of the
Zionist Executive, which was devoted to global Jewish solidarity and the
fight against anti-Semitism.

Over one and a half million individuals signed a petition calling for
increasing identification with Israel. Likewise, Jewish groups made hundreds
of demarches on behalf of Israel before government bodies throughout the
World (especially in North America and Europe).

Hundreds of Jewish community leaders from throughout the World came to
Israel on solidarity missions. Likewise, 9,000 individuals (mostly
schoolchildren and teenagers sent letters of support to Israel and personal
letters of encouragement and gratitude to IDF soldiers.

The United Jewish Communities of North America (UJC) created a special
emergency fund for Israel, and the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews (whose founding president is Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein) presented the
Jewish Agency with a gift $1 m to help Absorb of assist new immigrants who
are currently arriving in Israel.

In the context of the Jewish Agency's efforts to encourage Jewish
communities throughout the World to join those who have demonstrated in
support of Israel, the Jewish Agency will distribute a weekly solidarity
report describing solidarity activities conducted throughout the World on
behalf of Israel. The document will enumerate solidarity assembles, and
manifestations of support for Israel.

WEEKLY JEWISH SOLIDARITY UPDATE
8 MAY 2002

EVENTS OF 2 MAY
Belgium
Antwerp (2-7 May): Assembly of Orthodox Rabbinical Leaders and Educators
Dozens of rabbinical and lay orthodox leaders and educators convened under
the ægis of the Israel Ministry of Religious Affairs and the World Zionist
Organization to deliberate on the spiritual dimension in the information war
in support of Israel and in the fight against anti-Semitism. This assembly
was followed by an assembly of European Rabbis in Brussels.

EVENTS OF 5 MAY
USA
New York
Salute to Israel attracts a million spectators: Approximately one million
individuals lined the New York's Fifth Avenue from 75th to 79th St. to view
the "Salute to Israel" Parade, which has been a tradition since 1964. This
year's parade theme was "Israel and America, Now and Forever; United We
Stand." was presented by some 60,000 marchers from schools, civic and ethnic
organizations, and religious institutions.
Kansas City
2,000 individuals took part in a rally for Israel, organized by the Jewish
Federation.
Memphis, Tenn.
A pro-Israel resolution was passed in the State Senate. A solidarity
demonstration was attended by 2,000.
Palm Beach, FL
A solidarity run for Israel was held
Australia
Perth
Some 2,500 individuals participated in a demonstration of solidarity with
Israel.
Sweden
Stockholm
The Swedish Israel Information Committee, in conjunction with the Jewish
Community of Stockholm as well as Zionist and Jewish organizations held a
rally of support for Israel in Wallenberg Square. Despite a heavy downpour,
2,500 individuals attended.
EVENTS OF 6 MAY
U.K.
London
55,00 individuals demonstrated in a mass rally of support in Trafalgar
Square. This was the largest demonstration, which London has seen in many
years. Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was the keynote speaker.
Other dignitaries who addressed the crowd were Labour Party Legislator Peter
Mandelson, Conservative Deputy Leader Michael Ancram and Chief Rabbi
Jonathan Sacks.
EVENTS OF 8 MAY
USA
San Francisco, CA
Hillel Israel Solidarity demonstration at San Francisco State University.
EVENTS OF 8 MAY
USA
Kent, Connecticut (8-12 April)
The Israelite Institute is holding an Israel solidarity conference.

SOLIDARITY MISSIONS
A 25-member solidarity Mission of educators from Leeds, U.K. has visited
Israel from 2-7 May.

A 300 member Hillel solidarity mission will visit Israel between 19 and 24
May.

A delegation from B'nai Brith-Europe will arrive In Israel this week. The
delegation, which will includes board members from 27 European countries
(among them Switzerland, Germany, Croatia, Holland, Italy). Delegates will
meet with Prime Minister Sharon, and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer.

VOLUNTARISM
There has been great interest, especially among students to come to Israel
on volunteer programs coordinated by the Jewish Agency's Tnuat Aliyah
Department. 1,199 have already applied to come to Israel. A group of 44 has
already arrived. A group of American student volunteers will arrive on 19
May and a large group of Australian students is scheduled to arrive on 24
May.

LETTERS TO SOLDIERS
9,000 personal letters of support and postcards for IDF soldiers have been
received by the World Zionist Organization, in a special project run
together with the Ministry of Defense's Youth and Nahal Department. Of these
6,000 have already been distributed.

UPCOMING EVENTS
A mass demonstration is scheduled in Brussels on 29 May, when the European
Parliament will convene.
The UJC has conducted a special emergency campaign, which has so far raised
$119 million for Israel, from amongst the Jewish Federations. The emergency
funds will be used for five purposes: protecting the security of Israeli
children, assistance to Israeli hospitals, upgrading security, support of
Argentinian Jewish immigration to Israel and assistance to victims of terror
in Israel.

For comments of information please contact: Yehuda Weinraub
eugenejo@zahav.net.il yehudaw@jazo.org.il