More than 20,000 make aliyah to Israel as Western applications surge

Over 20,000 new immigrants from more than 100 countries made aliyah to Israel during the past Hebrew year (September 23, 2025, to September 3, 2026), according to figures from the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Russia, France, and the United States were the top countries of origin, with 5,685, 4,364, and 3,333 immigrants, respectively. Notably, there has been a significant surge in aliyah interest from Western countries, with France seeing a 31.5% increase in opened aliyah files, the U.S. a 17.1% rise, and Britain a 68% increase. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer stated, "Precisely in a complex and challenging year, the choice to make aliyah and build a future here is a powerful Zionist and national statement." The Ynet Global Aliyah Live Summit on September 8 will address the decision to move to Israel and the practical challenges of integration, including employment, housing, and healthcare.