Three Planes of Jewish Immigrants From Canada, US & UK Arrive 

August 16, 2006 / 22 Av 5766
http://www.israelnationalnews.com

Three airplanes filled with Jewish immigrants - from the United States, 
Canada and England - touched down in Israel Wednesday. The day 
marked a new record in Aliyah from the West.

The three flights were organized by the Nefesh b’Nefesh Aliyah 
assistance organization in conjunction with the Jewish Agency.

The plane from the United Kingdom was the first, and marks an 
expansion of Nefesh b’Nefesh’s operations beyond North America - 
where the first 18 flights were from. In his speech, Rabbi Yehoshua 
Fass said that the organization would soon be launching its 
Aliyah-assistance in Mexico as well.

“You shall inherit the land and you shall settle it,” Rabbi Fass told 
the crowd of new arrivals. “The moment you step off the plane 
you inherit the product of many years of sacrifice, blood and tears. 
Now you must settle the land, loving and embracing it.”

The Re-Engagement war and the days-old cease-fire were on 
many arrivals’ minds and the decision to come despite the difficult 
situation was a prominent theme in the welcome speeches by 
dignitaries. The president of El Al said that some of the pilots who 
flew the new immigrants to their new home were flying fighter jets 
in Lebanon just days ago. 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attended the ceremony, saying Aliyah 
is the greatest expression of confidence in Israel’s future.