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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met today, with a group of IDF new immigrant soldiers from the former USSR, who had completed a Netiv course designed to assist them as they converted to Judaism during their IDF service. Prime Minister’s Office Conversion Director Rabbi Haim Druckman, GOC Personnel Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Stern, IDF Chief Education Officer Brig.-Gen. Ilan Harari and Institute for the Study of Judaism Director Prof, Benny Ish-Shalom also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Olmert welcomed everybody and said: “This meeting is very moving and I am very pleased to be here. I hope that you are also excited to be part of the Jewish People. I assume that you overcame many obstacles, disappointments and frustrations en route to Israel. But now you are here and I very much hope that you are excited because we are very pleased that you are here with us and that you want to live here and be Jewish. We want to accept you with love and in a spirit of partnership.
I spoke to Rabbi Druckman and told him that what he is doing is praiseworthy and that I was certain that whoever receives his signature deserves to be accepted. It is very important that you are here and feel part of the Jewish People; however, it is more important that you feel that we want you to be part of us and that we are proud of you.”
Prime Minister Olmert was asked why he thought immigration had stopped and said that in his opinion immigration had not stopped; however, it had shrunk for two reasons: “The first reason is that most immigrants came during the 1990’s and most of them are here with us. The second reason is that life in the former USSR has improved, and the regimes have become more democratic.”
Prime Minister Olmert said: “There is no greater challenge than to bring all Jews from everywhere to Israel. We have one home – here, this is our home, the place that gives a greater future to the Jewish People and my Government will do its utmost for continued immigration and the absorption of the immigrants.”
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