Aliyah to Israel increases despite war, coming from 100 countries

Since the beginning of the war, approximately 31,000 people have immigrated to Israel from over 100 countries, according to new data from the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency.

The data also indicated a notable increase in the opening of immigration files among interested individuals from Western countries.

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Over the past year, new immigrants have arrived in Israel from more than 100 countries. According to the data, the largest increase in immigration was recorded from Russia, with approximately 19,850 immigrants, followed by the United States and Canada, with over 3,340 immigrants assisted by Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Where else did they come from?

While Russia, the US, and Canada were leading countries of origin for new olim, individuals from almost every region made aliyah.

Over 1,820 people made aliyah from France, where Grande Synagogue of Paris Chief Rabbi Moshe Sebbag cast doubt on the future of Jewry in the country.

Some 980 individuals and families migrated from Ukraine, escaping the war with Russia and choosing instead to live in Israel, which is facing its own war against the ‘Axis of Resistance.’

795 Olim migrated from Belarus, 560 from the United Kingdom, 450 from Argentina, 310 from Georgia, and 280 from South Africa. Some of the new citizens of Israel also originated from Brazil, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.

French Jews arrive in Israel to make Aliyah. (credit: CHEN SCHIMMEL)

The data shows that close to a third of this year’s immigrants (31%) are young people between the ages of 18-35.

One in five new citizens was between 0 and 17 years old (over 6,000 people) at the time of migration. 21% were aged 36-50, 13% were aged 51-60, 5% were aged 61-65, and 10% were over 65 (about 2,920 people).

Which city absorbed the most immigrants?

The city that received the most immigrants this year is Netanya, where over 4,700 new immigrants decided to set up their new homes. This was followed by Tel Aviv, with approximately 4,480 new immigrants, and Haifa, where more than 3,870 immigrants were absorbed. 2,260 new Olim decided to start their lives in Jerusalem, 1,880 moved to Bat Yam, while 1,100 chose Ashdod.

There has been a noticeable jump in the opening of immigration cases to Israel from Western countries since the beginning of the war, the data revealed. France saw the sharpest rise in cases opened, with an increase of 352% compared to the previous year.

In Canada, there was a notable increase of 87% in files being opened, followed by Great Britain with an increase of 62%. The United States saw an increase of about 60% in opened immigration cases compared to the corresponding period last year.

In the past year, thousands of people around the world participated in aliyah fairs organized by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, the Ofek Israeli organization, Nefesh B’Nefesh, and Keren Hayesod in collaboration with other aliyah organizations and immigrant associations.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionist Party) addressed the efforts to ensure a proper absorption process for every immigrant: “We are working to encourage many more immigrants to come to Israel.

This week, we held an extensive exercise in preparation for a large wave of immigration. I hope we will continue to see increasing numbers, equaling many thousands of Diaspora Jews who decide to continue their lives in Israel.”