The Immigrant Absorption Ministry has reported a sharp decline in the number of Jews seeking to immigrate to Israel, citing the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions placed on international travel.
Ministry data shows that some 8,568 Jews made aliyah in the first half of 2020, compared to 18,130 in the corresponding period in 2019.
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According to the ministry's report, 2,293 immigrants moved to Israel in January – up 3% from January 2019, and 2,403 arrived here in February, up 9% from last year.
Once the global pandemic reached Israel in March, however, the numbers began to decline: 1,424 Jews made aliyah in March, down 51% from March 2019; 403 immigrants arrived in April down 84%; 1,094 arrived in May down 70%, and only 951 came to Israel in June – a drop of 65% compared to the corresponding period last year.
Ministry officials said they expect immigration rates to bounce back once the pandemic wanes.
The Knesset Research and Information Center noted that immigration inquires were down 19%, especially with respect to applications from the former Soviet Union, where the Jewish Agency had to temporarily shutter its offices due to the coronavirus.
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