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Natan Sharansky addresses the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel in Jerusalem June 25 2009.
Photo: Brian Hendler in Jerusalem/Jewish Agency for Israel
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JERUSALEM (EJP)---Former minister and human rights activists Natan Sharansky was unanimously elected Thursday chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive by the Board of Governors in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Agency, which celebrates this year its 80th anniversary, is a semi-governmental organization in charge of immigration and absorption of Jews from the Diaspora.
The vote came after Sharansky's candidacy was presented and approved by the nominating committee, which was formed under the new governance structure enacted earlier this week.
In accepting his new role as chairman, Sharansky spoke of the connection of Jews abroad, especially young Jews, with the State of Israel, a connection which he said "should be a source of pride and strength for Jews around the world."
Sharansky said the Jewish Agency must remain committed to aliyah or immigration, and that this would come through strengthening Jewish identity.
He also spoke of role of the Jewish Agency in building on the notion of "Jewish peoplehood"”
Born in 1948 in Ukraine, Natan Sharansky became the symbol of the movement to free Soviet Jewry, spending years in Soviet prison in isolation and forced labor.
In 1986, under great international pressure, Sharansky was freed and came to Israel.
He served as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in successive governments from 1996 to 2005.
He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. (See attached bio).
"Natan Sharansky is a true hero," said Richard Pearlstone, chairman of the Board of Governors.
"He is a man of deep vision and understanding of the Jewish People and, as such, he will lead the Jewish Agency forward with determination and clarity of purpose."
Sharansky succeeds Zeev Bielski.