Ahead of Israel's 74th birthday, immigration smashes 20-year record

(Israel Hayom via JNS) - Some 38,000 new immigrants will celebrate their first Independence Day as Israeli citizens this year, according to figures released by the Jewish Agency on Sunday. The figure marks a two-decade immigration record.

The data also shows that immigration was driven higher by the war in Ukraine, where the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews , helped rescue thousands of Jewish refugees. Upon arrival in Israel, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry housed the immigrants in hotels throughout the country.

Meanwhile, many more immigrants from all corners of the globe flocked to Israel in the shadow of the global pandemic.

Between May 2021 and now, about half of the immigrants arrived from Ukraine and Russia, 4,000 came from the United States, 3,700 from France, 1,000 from Belarus, 1,000 from Argentina, 700 from Great Britain, 600 from South Africa, 500 from Brazil, 400 from Canada, and others from Australia, Germany, Belgium, Chile, Italy and other countries.

In addition, more immigrants from Ethiopia arrived via "Operation Tzur Israel," which is due to resume soon as per an agreement between the Jewish Agency and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry.

"Every oleh [immigrant] that comes to Israel contributes to the country and strengthens its character," said acting chairman of the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel.

"The Jewish Agency is currently working tirelessly to rescue Ukrainian Jews and bring them to Israel and will continue its rescue operations from anywhere in the world as part of its mission to help thousands of Jews outside of Israel realize their Zionist dream," he added.

Just the other day, Nefesh B'Nefesh, in partnership with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, welcomed its 74,000thimmigrant.

"As we celebrate the miraculous 74th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, we are thrilled to welcome our 74,000th oleh," said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B'Nefesh. "We are incredibly proud of this milestone and remain devoted to providing every individual who makes Aliyah with the resources and support needed to best integrate into Israel society, furthering the development of our young state."

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.