Israel to see largest influx of immigrants since Oct. 7, most from North America
More than 600 new olim due on 14 flights between August 22-28, with 2,000 expected over the summer
Five Aliyah flights landed in Israel from North America on Thursday, amounting to the most olim arriving in Israel in a single day this year and the most arriving in a week since October 7.
Including Thursday’s new immigrants, more than 600 people are expected to make arrive on 14 flights between August 22-28 with the help of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemet Le’Israel, and the Jewish National Fund-US.
A statement from the groups said that some 2,000 new immigrants will arrive this summer. Israel’s newest citizens hail from a variety of US states and provinces in Canada and will settle down across Israel.
“We are in the midst of a blessed month, of witnessing an impressive increase in aliyah from around the world, despite this complex period of conflict in the north and south. I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the new olim who arrived today and over the last week from North America, driven by a strong desire to become an integral part of the Zionist story,” said Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer.
“As we witness and celebrate the hundreds of olim arriving on flight after flight this summer, undeterred by the current situation, we see the exquisite expression of hope, optimism, solidarity and faith,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh.
Immigration to Israel has increased despite the trauma of October 7, when Hamas terrorists launched an assault on southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. The ensuing war has seen thousands of Israelis evacuated from their homes in southern and northern Israel, where the Hezbollah terror group has been launching attacks since October 8.
In part, the immigration has been driven by growing antisemitism in North America and Europe.
