More Israelis have left Israel than moved to it in recent years
Many Israelis fear the country they grew up in or moved to is changing into a place unsuited for raising a family.
The Headlines · Israel’s First Election Since Oct. 7, and What Anthropic’s I.P.O. Means for the Whole EconomyAhead of Tuesday's vote, Israel's first countrywide vote after the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, the mood was grim and apprehensive. More Israelis have been moving out of the country than moving in over the past couple of years.
David Halbfinger, who leads the Times's Jerusalem bureau, said many feared the Israel they grew up in or settled in voluntarily could become inhospitable to raising a family, saying Israel "is really on the verge of collapsing or changing into something very different," that "More Israelis have left this country than have immigrated to it in the last couple of years," and that "there is a lot of talk and concern that those departures could accelerate depending on how the election turns out."
Questions people ask
Is Israel normally a country that gains people through immigration?
Yes. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has actively encouraged Jewish immigration under its Law of Return, and newcomers, known as olim, have been central to its population growth. Net migration has historically been positive, so a period with more departures than arrivals is unusual.
Where do Israelis who leave tend to go?
The United States is the most common destination, especially cities with large Jewish communities such as New York and Los Angeles. Significant numbers also move to Canada, Britain, Germany, and other parts of Western Europe, often for work, study, or family reasons.
Why would an election affect whether people stay or leave?
Elections shape policy on security, the role of religion, the courts, and the economy, all of which affect daily life and long-term plans. When voters see the result as deciding the character of the country, some who feel deeply at odds with the outcome reconsider whether to build their futures there.