Israel’s Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, has revealed a dramatic increase in British Jewish migration to Israel, with numbers tripling from 300 to 900 annually over the past three years. Speaking on Kol BaRama radio, Minister Sofer emphasized that Israel now “ranks first” as the destination of choice for British Jews seeking relocation.
The phenomenon of aliyah—a foundational Zionist concept where Jews worldwide are encouraged to settle in Israel with state support—has shown particularly strong growth from Western nations. Official data from Israel’s Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency indicates 840 UK Jews migrated in the most recent reporting period, representing a 19% increase year-over-year.
This trend extends beyond Britain, with France experiencing a 45% surge in Jewish emigration to Israel (3,300 individuals) and the United States showing a 12% increase (4,150 individuals). Russia contributed the highest absolute numbers at 8,300 migrants, though this reflected a significant 57% decrease from previous levels, likely influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Minister Sofer’s ministry directly attributes this migration pattern to rising antisemitism in Western nations, particularly since the October 2023 Hamas attacks. Financial incentives also play a role, with olim (new immigrants) receiving substantial tax benefits including decade-long exemptions on foreign income and temporary exemptions on Israeli earnings below approximately £250,000 annually.
However, this narrative of mass emigration is contested by research organizations. The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) notes that fewer than 0.2% of British Jews actually make aliyah annually, with director Jonathan Boyd observing that for every two British Jews moving to Israel, three Israelis are migrating to the UK.
Paradoxically, while Israel promotes immigration, it faces its own emigration challenges. Knesset reports indicate record net emigration from Israel between 2020-2024, with 145,900 more Israelis leaving long-term than returning. The years 2023 and 2024 saw particularly sharp increases in departures, partially linked to the Gaza conflict that began in October 2023.