Quds city, May 26, SPA -- Israel is launching a US$280 million (¤223 million) program aimed at convincing thousands of young Jewish people to immigrate to Israel in the next five years, officials said Thursday. The program _ aimed at people between 18 and 30 years old _ is meant to increase the number of young adults who will eventually immigrate to Israel annually by allowing them to remain here for a year on a tourist visa. During that time, the participants will be offered access to university classes and other programs. Last year, some 4,000 Jews from this age group immigrated to Israel, said Elan Ezrahi, the official overseeing the program for the quasi-governmental Jewish Agency. Next year, the government hopes to attract 8,000 young Jews, with the number rising to 20,000 by 2009, he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.
