UJIA Invites Gap Year Students in Israel to Meet British Foreign Secretary

Tel Aviv, Israel -- November, 2007: UJIA which invests in young people and education in Israel and the UK, was invited to bring a delegation of British Gap Year students to meet with British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, during his recent visit to Israel.

Twenty representatives from UJIA-supported Jewish youth movements AJ6, Bnei Akiva, FZY, Habonim Dror, Hanoar Hatzioni, LJY Netzer, Maccabi GB, Noam and RSY Netzer met British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, senior Foreign Office officials, British Ambassador to Israel Tom Philips CMG and senior British journalists at the Ambassador's Residence in Ramat Gan. They were joined by UJIA President, Sir Trevor Chinn CVO and UJIA Chief Executive Douglas Krikler.

The British Foreign Secretary asked the Gap Year students about their year in Israel and learnt about the various Jewish youth movement programmes and the different elements that the year comprises. He was particularly interested to hear about the volunteering and community service undertaken during the Gap Year in Israel.

In his opening address to the group, David Miliband said: "Thank you for what you are doing to build up the relationship between Britain and Israel. I am here, among other things, to try to deepen relations between Britain and Israel and I think that the work you are doing in this area is extremely important. You are a symbol of the sense of commitment between the two countries".

Mr Miliband then talked about the upcoming 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008 and said: "The 60th Anniversary in May is a remarkable achievement and what is remarkable are the things Israel has done over the past sixty years. For example, if there is an earthquake or a flood anywhere around the world, some of the first people there are Israeli crack teams who come to help. May 2008 is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Israel".

Mr Miliband also referred to the group as the future leaders of Britain and emphasized the unique role of the Gap Year students who have had an opportunity to spend a year in Israel: "I hope that you will be champions of that outward-looking engaged culture and show what Israel has to offer to the rest of the world".

Douglas Krikler, UJIA Chief Executive said: "We were delighted to have the opportunity to engage with the Foreign Secretary in this way. We emphasized to him the transformative experience that is the Gap Year in Israel, and he was able to meet a wonderful mix of participants who will doubtless return to the UK as energetic, committed Jewish leaders who are active in their campuses, Jewish youth movements and in broader British society".

Following the meeting with the Gap Year students, the Foreign Secretary, moved on to his meetings with top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.