Jewish Agency for Israel-Press Release 20th July,2005

For the first time, two planes in one day with new immigrants from France
arriving on Monday July 25th

This year will see the highest level of immigration from France in decades

The planes, bringing 330 new immigrants from France, will land at Ben Gurion
Airport on Monday July 25th at 1:30pm. A reception will follow at Terminal
1 with the participation of Arieh Azoulay, Chairman of the Immigration and
Absorption Committee of the Jewish Agency and Mirale Gal, Director-General
of the Absorption Ministry, and additional public figures.

Around 330 new immigrants from Paris and Marseille will arrive on two
chartered EL AL planes. The planes will depart from Charles de Gaulle
Airport in Paris at 9:00am (Paris time) and from Marignane Airport near
Marseille at 8:30am, arriving in Israel at 1:30pm (Israel time).

Among the new immigrants are 100 children and 70 students who will be going
directly into preparatory programs at Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan
University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 70% of the families
arriving on the planes will be absorbed in the framework of "community
absorption", a joint project of the Jewish Agency and Ministry of
Absorption, in the cities of Beit Shemesh, Eilat, Netanya, Ashdod,
Jerusalem, Netanya and Ashkelon.

The Director-General of the Jewish Agency's Immigration and Absorption
Department, Mike Rosenberg, said that in the first half of 2005 there was a
30% rise in immigration from France compared to the same period the previous
year. During July, 900 people will immigrate to Israel from France. Until
the end of the year, it is expected that 3,300 new immigrants will arrive
from France, the highest number from that country in 35 years. In
January-June 2005, 886 new immigrants arrived from France, as opposed to 685
during January-June 2004.

20% of the new immigrants arriving on the planes from France are students
who have passed their matriculation exams and will continue their academic
studies in Israel. More than half of the new immigrants are single (young
people and students) and 45% come as families. Most of the new immigrants
arrive through direct absorption and prefer the center of the country.

Journalists interested in participating in the event must confirm to
02-6202924.Entrance to Terminal 1 is by Government Press Office Card.

For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz, Liaison to the Foreign Press, Jewish Agency for Israel
website: www.jafi.org.il/press