PM Sharon to Maccabiah Visitors: Move Here! 

July 12, 2005 / 5 Tammuz 5765
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=85595

The 7,000 Jewish athletes from all over the world who gathered in 
Israel for the Maccabiah games were given an unequivocal 
message Monday by Israel's Prime Minister: come home.

"Welcome to Israel, welcome home," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 
told the athletes, who hail from Jewish communities in 55 countries 
across the Diaspora. 

In English, Sharon delivered a very direct request to the the athletes. 
"I hope that by the next Maccabiah, you will all make Aliyah 
(immigrate to Israel) to the Jewish homeland and be a part of the 
Israeli delegation," Sharon said. "If there is something that we need 
more than anything else today, we would always need you. 
Today we need you more than ever. And the most important thing 
to us is for you to make Aliyah to Israel, make Aliyah to Israel."

The Maccabiah flag was carried by 10 Israeli victims of Arab terror 
who took part in the Sport Rehabilitation for Terrorism Victims program.

The opening ceremony, which took place at the Ramat Gan stadium 
featured musical performances and speeches from politicans, 
as well as a segment during which each delegation marched before 
Israel's President Moshe Katzav. 

A Scandinavian delegation wore orange uniforms, the color of the 
anti-Disengagement struggle. One member of the delegation told 
Army Radio that they had no idea the color was a political statement 
but had been told so repeatedly upon arrival. "We have no intention 
of changing colors, though," he said.