In the wake of rising antisemitism, the desire to immigrate to Israel has skyrocketed by hundreds of percent. The Nefesh B'Nefesh organization for immigration from North America and Qualita, the umbrella organization for French immigrants to Israel, report a significant percentage increase in Aliyah following the events of October 7.
The Nefesh B'Nefesh organization told Israel Hayom that since October 7, approximately 1,500 new immigrants from the United States and Canada have made Aliyah. Another trend observed by the organization is a massive increase in requests for opening immigration files since the outbreak of the war.
"So far, we have received around 9,700 requests for opening immigration files," shares Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and CEO of the organization. "This represents an increase of 76% compared to the corresponding period last year. In light of this surge, we entered 2024 with cautious optimism, and together with our partners at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency, we are prepared to absorb every new immigrant arriving here, with a sense of belonging and solidarity with the Jewish people and the State of Israel."
The trend of Jews seeking to immigrate to Israel is also strongly felt in France, following the widespread antisemitism in the country which was common even before the war. The Qualita organization reports hundreds of percent increase in the desire to immigrate to Israel.
According to data from the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, since the surprise attack by Hamas and the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, there has been a surge of about 430% in the number of individuals for whom immigration files were opened, effectively expressing practical interest in immigrating to Israel. In total, from October 7 until today, immigration files have been opened for approximately 1,200 individuals, compared to around 220 during the corresponding period last year. Additionally, around 1,300 households participated in information evenings organized by the Jewish Agency across France to provide updated information about Israel.
