The first time since Israel's establishment that more than 1% of a Western
country's Jewish population immigrated to the country in a single year
More than 200 Immigrants from France to Arrive in Israel Tonight Aboard
Special Aliyah Flight
Aliyah up 11% compared to 2014;
More than 20,000 French Jews have arrived in Israel over the past five years

JERUSALEM – The wave of French immigration to Israel continues: More than
200 French Jews, half of whom are children, will arrive in Israel tonight
(Monday, July 27) aboard a special Aliyah flight organized by The Jewish
Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption.

The current wave of Aliyah from France comes following cooperative efforts
by the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption and The Jewish Agency to
sustain the high rate of French Aliyah and increase Aliyah from around the
world. More than 20,000 French Jews—primarily young people and families—have
made Israel their home over the past five years. Over 7,200 French Jews made
Aliyah in 2014 – an all-time record, and the first time since Israel's
establishment that more than 1% of a Western country's Jewish population
immigrated to the country in a single year. The coastal city of Netanya is
the number one destination for French immigrants to Israel, followed by Tel
Aviv-Yafo, Jerusalem, Ashdod, and Ra'anana.

According to data compiled by The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah
and Immigrant Absorption, some 4,260 immigrants from France have arrived in
Israel so far this year, an 11% increase compared to the 3,830 who came
during the equivalent period in 2014. Moreover, interest in Aliyah from
France has jumped by some 30%: 3,160 new Aliyah files were opened in France
during the first six months of 2015, compared to some 2,509 during the same
period last year. Registration for Aliyah information sessions reached
6,150, compared to 4,425 during the equivalent period in 2014.

Minister of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Ze'ev Elkin said: "This plane
with 200 immigrants from France is just one of many arriving in Israel this
summer. This is the second year in a row that we are seeing a significant
increase in Aliyah from France, and so the ministry and the entire
government are working to further increase the rate of Aliyah and dedicate
more resources to improving immigrant absorption. This year we are preparing
to receive between 30,000 and 35,000 immigrants from around the world, the
most in a decade."

Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky
said: "Over the past two years, The Jewish Agency has significantly expanded
its operations in Europe in response to increasing interest in Aliyah on the
part of European Jews. We are seeing an unprecedented wave of Aliyah from
European countries, which indicates not only how Europe is becoming an
uncomfortable place for Jews, but—even more importantly—the extent to which
Israel is becoming a magnet for Jews interested in a meaningful Jewish life,
in freedom, personal security, and a sense of belonging to a country that is
integral to the future of the Jewish people."