Jan 9, 2024

Increase in Aliyah Since October 7 Is a “Beautiful Expression of Solidarity”

“Aliyah [immigration to Israel] in these times is another expression of the partnership of world Jewry in building, and now in rebuilding, the State of Israel,” said Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of Federation overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel. Since October 7, more than 700 North Americans have immigrated to Israel. Nefesh B’Nefesh, a recipient of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Fund that facilitates aliyah from the US and Canada, received 4,175 applications in the last quarter of 2023, up from 1,985 during the same period the year before — a nearly 50 percent increase. In France, the upsurge is even more notable. According to The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, which organized an aliyah fair in Paris in December, there has been an increase of 430 percent in the number of aliyah files opened. “The significant number of new immigrants to Israel during Operation Iron Swords … [is] an important demonstration of Zionism and a beautiful expression of solidarity,” said Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer. Federation partners continue to offer acculturation assistance to new olim (immigrants) in the form of housing, job placement and language studies.