From which country has a 510% surge in new immigrants been recorded since October 7th?

Welcome homeA group of over 100 new immigrants from France landed today (Monday) at Ben Gurion Airport on a special flight from the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption and the Jewish Agency.

Most of the immigrants arrived on a group flight from the Paris area, and another group arrived from various cities throughout France.

This marked the beginning of the 'season of immigration', during which thousands of new immigrants from around the world will land in Israel this summer. The flight of immigrants from France, donated by Israel-loving friends around the world, was accompanied by the head of the Jewish Agency's delegation in France, Emmanuel Zion.

According to data from the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption and the Jewish Agency, since October 7, approximately 22,000 immigrants from dozens of countries around the world have immigrated to Israel, including approximately 800 new immigrants from France, who have been absorbed throughout the country.

The leading city in absorbing immigrants from France is Jerusalem - 198 immigrants, followed by Netanya - 177 immigrants, and in third place - Tel Aviv - 96 immigrants.

The data also shows that since the outbreak of the war, there has been a dramatic jump of 510% in the number of people who have opened immigration files from France. Since the outbreak of the war until today, immigration files have been opened for approximately 6,440 people from France, compared to 1,057 people in the corresponding period last year.

The Jewish Agency's Global Aliyah Center in Jerusalem, which is operated in collaboration with the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, reports that interest in Aliyah has continued in recent days.

In recent months, absorption consultants from the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption and the Jewish Agency have been sent to France to strengthen the activities of the Jewish Agency's emissaries in the country, thanks to the support system established in the ministry under the direction of Minister Ofir Sofer. Immigrants will also receive support from the Global Aliyah Center, and will thus receive assistance from the stage of opening the aliyah file until landing in Israel.

Most of the immigrants on the group flight that landed today are young families with children who are immigrating for the school year in September. The youngest immigrant is a toddler less than a year old, while the oldest immigrant is in his 70s.

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Upon their landing, the immigrants were welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by Minister of Aliyah and Absorption Ofir Sofer and Director General of the Jewish Agency Amira Aharonovitz.

Minister of Aliyah and Absorption, Ofir Sofer: "We welcome the immigrants from France who decided to come to Israel right now. The choice of many Jews from around the world to immigrate to Israel and be part of the Zionist story, especially during a moving and powerful war. Since October 7, we have been exposed to solidarity and a strong embrace from Diaspora Jews in every way, but the choice of over 22,000 who have immigrated so far is the strongest Zionist statement."

"In the past year, we have worked hard on a variety of important absorption programs in personal support, housing, higher education, Hebrew, and the community environment that will assist immigrants and make it easier for them to integrate into Israel. Together with partners from national institutions and immigration organizations, we will continue to work to make immigration accessible and encourage many Jews to come to the State of Israel."

Jewish Agency CEO Amira Aharonovitz: "Welcome home. The choice to immigrate, now in particular, is an expression of your immense love for the State of Israel. Since the war broke out, many thousands of new immigrants - including families and individual immigrants - have chosen to immigrate to Israel and build their future here. The Jewish Agency will continue to strengthen Jewish communities around the world and assist any Jew who wishes to immigrate, from anywhere in the world, together with its partners. Immigration is the cornerstone on which the state is built. Together, we will continue to build the State of Israel and strengthen its strength."