The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration anticipates a significant drop in immigration to Israel from Western nations in 2023, potentially reaching a 60% decrease compared to the previous year. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, representing the Religious Zionism party, confirmed this prediction in a conversation with Shomrim. Sofer emphasized that the country's political climate has a direct impact on immigration statistics. To address this challenge, the ministry has proposed a novel approach – allocating 150,000 shekels ($40,000) to the Shavei Hevron yeshiva located in Hebron, a city in the West Bank.

The Shavei Hevron yeshiva is actively involved in organizing a flag march scheduled for this week within Hebron. The event is expected to feature the participation of French Jews, a demographic that the ministry is actively encouraging to consider immigration to Israel. An internal Ministry of Aliyah and Integration document this month highlighted the growing concerns surrounding immigration trends. In 2022, the document indicated a record number of newcomers, totaling approximately 75,000 immigrants. The majority of these arrivals, roughly 62,000, originated from former Soviet states, driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the recent judicial overhaul and resulting protests have led Israel to become a less enticing destination for discerning potential immigrants from Western countries. Ministry data reflects this shift, with the first seven months of 2023 seeing a decrease in new immigrants from France (385 compared to 944 in the same period of 2022), the United States (744 compared to 1,156 the previous year), the United Kingdom (169 compared to 275 in 2022), Canada (109 compared to 183), and Australia (54 compared to 80).

Sofer candidly acknowledges the complex factors influencing immigration patterns: "For there to be substantial waves of immigration, I need Putin or, God forbid, something else. The factors that influence immigration [figures] are the economic situation, wars, and antisemitism (...). If conditions are favorable in Israel and less so in their home countries, people will come." Sofer adds that the projected decline in this year's figures also accounts for the ministry's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is the political climate in Israel not a significant factor as well?

"When you witness demonstrations on television every Saturday evening, it undoubtedly reverberates outward," he acknowledges. "I'm not evading that."

Sofer emphasizes that the political climate undeniably influences immigration figures. "Clearly, it does. I don't dispute that. I'm among those who believe things could have been different."

Sofer notes that during his seven months in office, overseas Jewish communities have grown increasingly concerned about the situation. "During my initial visit to France, this issue wasn't discussed at all; during the second visit, there were conversations, and by the third visit, even more. The same trend emerged in the United States (...), where the matter is pressing and naturally under discussion." Despite the profile of immigrants tending to be "more conservative, more right-wing, and more Orthodox," Sofer emphasizes that the political climate undeniably influences immigration figures. "Clearly, it does. I don't dispute that. I'm among those who believe things could have been different."

Sofer outlines a strategy to effectively address the challenge: encouraging immigration among young individuals. "The more foreign students that enroll in Israeli universities, the greater our success will be," he emphasizes. He expresses his desire to see a larger influx of American students among new immigrants. "What the United States can contribute to Israel is a broader perspective and increased openness. We would welcome that."

However, until a higher number of American students choose Israeli institutions over those in the United States, Sofer's ministry has chosen to allocate 150,000 shekels to the Shavei Hevron yeshiva in Hebron. The yeshiva plays a significant role in organizing a Flag March within the West Bank city, an event that is expected to attract numerous French Jewish participants.

Sofer was queried regarding whether the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration's investment in a Hebron parade was part of a strategy to appeal to a more conservative and Orthodox demographic for immigration. "I am engaging in a tactical retreat, and this demographic holds promise," he replied. "We're investing our resources where they're most likely to yield results."