Sun Sep 15 12:23:08 UTC 2024: ## Israel’s Immigration Numbers Plummet in 2024 Amidst War and Bureaucracy
**Jerusalem, October 28, 2024** – Israel has witnessed a sharp decline in immigration during the first eight months of 2024, with a 42% drop compared to the same period last year. This decline has sparked concerns among lawmakers and immigration officials, who are struggling to address the complex challenges driving the trend.
According to the Jewish Agency, only 23,183 immigrants arrived in Israel between January and August 2024, compared to 39,857 during the same period in 2023. While immigration from Western Europe saw a 50% increase, fueled by a significant rise in arrivals from France, the decline in immigration from former Soviet Union countries was stark, dropping by 49% to 16,608 people.
This decline has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the ongoing war in Israel, which has led to a decrease in demand for aliyah interviews, and bureaucratic delays in the immigration process.
Knesset Member Oded Forer (Israel Beytenu), chair of the Aliyah, Absorption, and Diaspora Committee, criticized the government’s policy of prioritizing Western countries over former Soviet Union countries. “A Jew living in Saint Petersburg is no less important than a Jew living in Paris,” Forer stated, urging immediate action to reduce processing times for immigration approvals, which currently stand at three months in Moscow and six months in Saint Petersburg.
Deputy Minister Avi Maoz acknowledged the challenges in streamlining the process but noted efforts to digitize the system. “We aim to reduce waiting times as much as possible, but due to bureaucratic issues, it is unrealistic to expect less than two months,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Forer emphasized the need for increased investment in promoting aliyah from former Soviet Union countries and improving the absorption process for immigrants from around the world. “The potential for aliyah to Israel is not being realized, especially from countries like Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
The sharp decrease in immigration numbers underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the multifaceted challenges facing potential immigrants. The government is expected to re-evaluate its priorities and implement measures to attract and support individuals from all corners of the world seeking to make Israel their home.
First Piper 