The Knesset Caucus for Strengthening the Jewish People, led by MK (Likud) Tzachi Hanegbi and MK (Machane Tzioni) Dr. Nachman Shai in partnership with The Jewish Agency for Israel, was launched on Tuesday, 10 Teves at the Knesset.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, Opposition Leader Yitzchak Herzog, and Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky addressed the event, as did numerous Members of Knesset representing a range of factions. A new initiative by MKs to “adopt” lone soldiers was launched during the gathering, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Wings Program, a joint initiative between The Jewish Agency and the Merage Foundation.

Jewish Agency Chairman said “We hear a lot about crises and divisions between Israel and world Jewry. But, in fact, the connection between us is strong and is only growing stronger. More than 30,000 new immigrants will arrive in Israel this year – a fifteen-year record. More than 40,000 Jewish young people will come to Israel with Taglit-Birthright Israel, 12,000 will experience life here with Masa Israel Journey, and 1,500 will participate in Onward Israel. Israel and the Jewish world have come to understand that they need one another – world Jewry realizes that a connection to Israel is a core component of Jewish identity and is necessary for the long-term survival of Jewish communities, and Israel knows that it has no greater or more reliable ally than the Jewish people. This caucus, the largest in the Knesset, is both an expression of the strong connection between Israel and the Jewish world and a way of strengthening it even further.”

The Caucus for Strengthening the Jewish People is the largest in the Knesset, with 46 members from across the political spectrum. This is the third Knesset session in which the caucus will actively endeavor to strengthen the connection between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry. The caucus members will promote matters of mutual concern to Israel and the Jewish world via both legislation and increased dialogue between lawmakers and Jewish leaders. A particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening connections between Jewish young people and both the State of Israel and their Jewish identity. The caucus’s activities will take place in partnership with The Jewish Agency, which serves as a bridge between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

A new initiative by Members of Knesset to “adopt” lone soldiers was launched during the event, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Wings Program, a joint initiative between The Jewish Agency and the Merage Foundation. The Wings Program accompanies new immigrants during their military service and helps them take their first steps as civilians following their discharge from active duty. A recent survey conducted among graduates of the Wings Program found that 90% of the lone soldiers see their future in Israel and 62% have had family members make Aliyah in their footsteps. Caucus co-chairs Hanegbi and Shai and Jewish Agency Chairman Sharansky are the first to accompany lone soldiers as part of the new initiative, and they called upon other lawmakers to join them in helping these young people become absorbed into Israeli society – a call heeded by numerous Members of Knesset during the event.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)