Joint announcement to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Immigration and Absorption
The Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, and the Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Pnina Temano Sheta, today appointed Meir Spiegler as head of the national task force for the absorption of immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and the CIS countries.
Spiegler, 63, holds a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in business administration, and currently serves as director general of the National Insurance Institute. Previously, he served as director general of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and director general of the Ministry of Religions.
As part of his role, Spiegler will include the government’s handling of the absorption of immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and the CIS countries in coordination with all parties, including the relevant government ministries, the Jewish Agency, Nativ and more, and under the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett“The State of Israel was established to be the safest place in the world for the Jewish people – this is our core mission. Jews fleeing places of danger should know that they have an open door and a warm home, our internal bureaucracy must not place obstacles. “Today we decided to appoint Meir Spiegler as the head of the team that will lead the national effort. Meir is a man of action who serves the State of Israel in a number of positions in the public sector. Together, we will meet this sacred task this time as well.”
Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Pnina Temano-Sheta“The hard time of the Jews of Ukraine is our time of will and test. The expectation of the immigration of Jews and returnees from Ukraine and neighboring countries, according to expert sources, will reach tens and even hundreds of thousands. Thus, I am glad that the Prime Minister has decided together with me to appoint a central control team to manage the operation, in accordance with the guidelines and joint leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption. “I congratulate Meir Spiegler on his commitment to the national mission and his commitment to the purpose and vision of the State of Israel as the home of the entire Jewish people.”