Al-Quds city, May 26, SPA -- Israel is launching a US$280 million(¤223 million) program aimed at convincing thousands ofyoung Jewish people to immigrate to Israel in the next fiveyears, officials said Thursday. The program _ aimed at people between 18 and 30 years old_ is meant to increase the number of young adults who willeventually immigrate to Israel annually by allowing them toremain here for a year on a tourist visa. During that time,the participants will be offered access to universityclasses and other programs. Last year, some 4,000 Jews from this age group immigratedto Israel, said Elan Ezrahi, the official overseeing theprogram for the quasi-governmental Jewish Agency. Nextyear, 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.--SPA1455 Local Time 1155 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/265291