Despite COVID-19, aliyah to Israel increased by 31% in 2021
Aliyah to Israel has increased by 31% in 2021 so far with 20,360 Olim (immigrants to Israel), compared to 15,598 during the corresponding period last year, according to a report released Sunday by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The figures were released ahead of Yom HaAliyah (Aliyah Day), a national holiday celebrating immigration to Israel from all over the world.
Children from France arrive in Israel as part of a group aliyah flight on July 21, 2021. Photo by Noga Malsa.
Israel saw a dramatic rise in Aliyah despite the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic despite the difficulty and limitations on international travel.
Pnina Tamano-Shata, Minister of Aliyah stated that she worked to ensure Aliyah during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns as “Aliyah is the realization of the Zionist dream.”
More than 3,340,000 immigrants have made Aliyah to Israel since the state’s establishment.
According to the data, the largest number of Olim this year came from Russia, with 5,075 immigrants arriving. 3,104 made Aliyah from the US, a 41% increase from the first nine months of 2020.
2,819 Olim came from France, a 55% increase, 2,123 from Ukraine, 780 from Belarus, 633 from Argentina, 490 from the United Kingdom, 438 from Brazil, and 373 from South Africa, a 56% increase.
1,589 Olim came from Ethiopia thanks to Operation Tzur Israel, which helped Olim reunite with their families after decades of being apart.
More than half of the new immigrants to Israel so far this year are under age 35, with about 23.4% ages 0-17, 33.4% between 18-35, 16.3% ages 36-50, 13% 51-64 and 13.9% over 65.
The Yom HaAliyah Act, which was passed by the Knesset in 2016, is celebrated on the seventh day of the Jewish month of Cheshvan and coincides with the Torah portion of Lech Lecha, in which God commands Abraham to go to the Land of Israel. The aim of the holiday is to celebrate the development of Israel as a multicultural society and emphasize the importance of Aliyah to Israel.
I am thrilled about the increase in Aliyah to Israel. It is the best place to be – trust me. Thank you J Wire for the great news that you share with the world outside of Australia