Exodus from the holy land?
Dr. Dalia Adler, a demographer at Hebrew University, puts it plainly: “This wave of emigration is unprecedented. Young, educated Israelis are leaving, and if we don’t act fast, it could seriously damage Israel’s innovation and growth.” But the story isn’t that simple. As global antisemitism rises, Israel’s role as a refuge for Jews worldwide has never been more critical. Yet, paradoxically, many Israelis are deciding to leave, driven by security fears and uncertainty.
I recently spoke with an IT specialist who moved his family to the US right after the October 7 attacks but has since returned. His takeaway? The fear of being Israeli in America was just as intense as the fear of security threats back home.
Record number of Israelis emigrate abroad
Professor Yossi Klein Halevi captures this tension: “Security concerns, economic pressures, and social divisions are pushing Israelis to reconsider their future here. At the same time, Israel remains a vital refuge for Jews worldwide, creating a complex balancing act for the government.” This migration trend shines a harsh light on deep anxieties about safety, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Israel continues to be a beacon for Jews around the globe, but it can’t afford to ignore why its own citizens are leaving.
The government faces a clear mandate: bolster security, improve the economy, and keep welcoming new immigrants who can help build the nation – an area that many new olim say has been neglected. As former Immigration and Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin recently said, “We must not only encourage aliyah but also make Israel a place where Israelis want to stay, safe, prosperous, and full of opportunity.”
SOME EXPERTS suggest the initial spike in departures has “stabilized” since the immediate shock of war, with factors like political unrest, including contentious judicial reforms, cost of living, lifestyle choices, and career opportunities abroad playing a role. If you tune into Arab media outlets, you’ll hear about a “migration crisis” in Israel.
But what counts as a crisis? For many Israeli officials and analysts, the steady outflow of skilled professionals during a time of war and internal unrest is definitely worrying for workforce stability, security, and resilience. Yet, among Jewish communities worldwide, feelings about moving to Israel remain positive, especially as antisemitism worsens elsewhere. This is likely to lead to waves of immigration that could strain infrastructure and shift demographics, making Israel’s migration story a complicated mix of loss and gain.
Numbers can be spun to fit different narratives, and the data here is, as with most statistics, complex. Are those leaving gone for good, or just taking a break? How do we define “permanent” emigration when many Israelis hold dual citizenship and often spend months overseas without severing ties? Data always lags, and the reality on the ground is fluid.
The war is just one piece of the puzzle. Domestic politics, from judicial reform protests to soaring housing costs, combined with global opportunities for skilled workers, all play their part. Still, Israel’s population continues to grow, as births and immigration outpace departures in many measures. And if security worsens, it could either drive more people away or, paradoxically, draw more back.
This exodus since October 2023 isn’t just a statistic; it must become a wake-up call. Israel’s leaders and citizens need to face these challenges head-on if the country is to remain a vibrant, thriving home for all who live here and for Jews everywhere. Looking at the data and the massive construction underway across the country, Israel is far from doomed. It will grow, adapt, and create new opportunities, especially in defense and technology. The future demands action, not anxiety.
Dr. Michael J Salamon and Louis Libin