Immigration to Israel has increased by 31% in 2021 so far, according to data released this week by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The figures come ahead of Aliyah Day – a national holiday on October 13th, which celebrates immigrants to Israel from around the world.
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So far this year, 20,360 immigrants have moved to the Jewish state, compared to the 15,598 who immigrated during the corresponding period last year.
Israel has continued to see a rise in immigration despite the coronavirus pandemic, with the ministry and the Jewish Agency doing their utmost to ensure that the process continues despite the limitations on international travel and other COVID-related restrictions.
"I am pleased by the tremendous increase in the number of olim [immigrants] who decided to make aliyah to Israel since the beginning of the year," Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata said, vowing that the ministry would continue to work to assist new immigrants with their integration process in Israel.
Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency Yaakov Hagoel said he was moved by each and every person who decided to make aliyah "despite the challenging period and many limitations brought on by the global pandemic."
"These olim are a strategic asset to the State of Israel and contribute to every aspect of life. We all must contribute to their integration. We are strengthened by each oleh who comes to Israel," he said.
According to data, the majority of this year's new immigrants came from Russia – 5,075, 3,104 made aliyah from the United States, 2,819 from France, 2,123 from Ukraine, 780 from Belarus, 633 from Argentina, 490 from Britain, 438 from Brazil and 373 from South Africa.
Finally, 1,580 individuals made aliyah from Ethiopia – compared to 285 last year – thanks to the ministry and Jewish Agency's initiative to bring the remaining Jews of the country to Israel, known as Operation Tzur Israel.
To date, more than 3,340,000 immigrants have made aliyah to Israel since the establishment of the state in 1948.
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