Israel absorbed over 20,000 new immigrants in past year

Over the past year, Israel welcomed more than 20,000 Jewish immigrants from approximately 100 countries, according to a joint statement from Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency. The majority of these new arrivals came from Russia, France, and the United States. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer noted a significant increase in immigration from France and the United Kingdom, stating that the trend of Jewish immigration from Western countries is expected to “continue and strengthen.” He added, “For more than 20,000 new olim, this is their first Rosh Hashanah at home—in the State of Israel.” The immigrants included 414 physicians and other professionals, with over a third of new olim being young people aged 18-35. The ministry and Jewish Agency have also advanced dedicated aliyah tracks for Israel’s north and south, and a tax reform has been initiated to ease economic integration for immigrants.