Since the outbreak of war, around 31,000 people have immigrated to Israel from more than 100 countries, according to recent statistics from the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency.
The data indicates a significant rise in the number of individuals from Western countries seeking to immigrate to Israel.
In the past year, new immigrants have arrived from over 100 nations. The largest group came from Russia, with about 19,850 immigrants. Following Russia, more than 3,340 immigrants came from the United States and Canada, with assistance from the organization Nefesh B’Nefesh.
Diverse Sources of Immigration
While Russia, the US, and Canada lead in numbers, immigrants have come from nearly every region. France contributed over 1,820 immigrants, amidst concerns about the future of its Jewish community, as expressed by Rabbi Moshe Sebbag of the Grande Synagogue of Paris.
Approximately 980 individuals and families arrived from Ukraine, fleeing the ongoing war with Russia and seeking refuge in Israel, which is also engaged in conflict.
Other countries contributing to the influx include Belarus (795 immigrants), the United Kingdom (560), Argentina (450), Georgia (310), and South Africa (280). Immigrants also arrived from Brazil, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.
Age Demographics of New Immigrants
The statistics show that close to one-third (31%) of this year’s immigrants are young people aged 18-35. Additionally, over 6,000 (20%) new citizens were between 0 and 17 years old. Other age groups include 21% aged 36-50, 13% aged 51-60, 5% aged 61-65, and about 2,920 (10%) over 65.
Top Cities for New Immigrants
Netanya is the city that welcomed the most immigrants this year, with over 4,700 new residents. Tel Aviv followed closely with approximately 4,480 new immigrants, while Haifa absorbed over 3,870. Jerusalem welcomed 2,260 newcomers, Bat Yam saw 1,880, and Ashdod received 1,100.
Increased Immigration Applications from the West
The data reveals a significant uptick in immigration applications from Western countries since the conflict began. France experienced the sharpest rise, with a 352% increase compared to the previous year. Canada saw an 87% increase, Great Britain experienced a 62% rise, and the US had about a 60% increase in immigration applications compared to the same period last year.
In the past year, thousands participated in aliyah fairs organized by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, and other organizations focused on helping immigrants.
Commitment to Supporting New Immigrants
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth absorption process for every immigrant. “We are working to encourage many more immigrants to come to Israel. This week, we held a comprehensive exercise to prepare for a large wave of immigration. I hope to see even more Diaspora Jews choosing to live in Israel,” he stated.
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