UJIA Solidarity Message from our Chairman

Since the start of the operation in Gaza, UJIA has been in direct daily contact with our partners in Israel including the leadership of the Jewish Agency, senior figures in the NGO community, and Government officials to ensure that we are able to respond as appropriately to the situation on the ground. Last Sunday, our Regional Director in Israel, Natie Shevel, toured the South of the country and met with local community leaders.

Our community has retained a special connection to Ashkelon and Dimona since the days of UJIA Project Renewal during the 1980s and 1990s. Since the tragic upsurge in rocket attacks from Gaza over the last two years, UJIA has offered focussed and targeted support on behalf of the British Jewish community to alleviate the stress and suffering of the civilian population of Israel's border towns and villages in the South.

Thanks to your support, UJIA is currently funding a range of educational and welfare programmes in Ashkelon and Sderot, improving the quality of life and providing educational and community support and psychological care for those in need. In addition, our contribution to the Jewish Agency is supporting the direct and immediate responses. We will make additional funds available should circumstances require this.

At the same time, we remain deeply committed to the long-term strategic relationship we have developed with the communities of the Galil in the North of Israel. As the public and institutional attention turns to the Southern front, so we have our part to play in helping to ensure that those in the North do not suffer indirectly as a result. Our programme is focussed on delivering first class educational and vocational opportunities to all the citizens of the Galil, and to empowering each individual in each community to achieve his or her potential. Our efforts support reconstruction for resilience in the aftermath of the recent Lebanon War, an effort that requires a sustained long term commitment. Our work in the Galil is making a difference to real lives - every day. It is happening thanks to you.

We hope and pray that the Northern border remains quiet, but the people of Israel know that come what may, our community is resolute and steadfast in its solidarity and support.

The future of Israel lies on the shoulders of each coming generation. We share their responsibility. We must not let them down. If you have not yet made a commitment to UJIA's work this year, please do so now. You can make a donation via our website, www.ujia.org/donate or over the phone by calling Stuart Rose on 020 8369 5023. If you have already pledged, your early payment would be very helpful and greatly appreciated as it will allow us to respond to needs more rapidly. And naturally, at a time of significant pressure on the people of Israel, an additional commitment of 10% would help ensure that we can continue to respond as effectively as possible.

SOLIDARITY MISSION - UJIA is leading a Solidarity Mission to Israel departing on Monday evening, returning Thursday (12-15 January). The Mission will visit the conflict area in the South as well as our programme to regenerate the North. The Mission will be led by UJIA Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Ognall. Please join us and show your solidarity, contact Jacalyn Sank 020 8369 5093.

We hope and pray for a speedy resolution to the conflict, so that the rockets of terror fall silent and peace may return to all the innocent civilians of Israel and Gaza.

Mick Davis

For more information on the current situation you might like to visit the following websites:

www.bicom.org.uk

www.debka.com