In 2025, 3,300 people left France to settle in Israel. Yosef explains that he did this to live better according to Judaism. Others decide to move for security reasons.
The number of foreign Jews settling in Israel in 2025 has increased again. "21,900 new immigrants arrived in Israel from 105 countries," the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration stated in a release published at the end of December, assuring that the "upsurge" in Israel "remains dynamic, driven by determined youth."
Among all these migration flows, Russia ranked first with 8,300 immigrants (a decrease of 57% compared to last year), ahead of the United States with 3,500 departures (an increase of 5%).
France came in third with 3,300 departures compared to 2,228 last year, which is a 45% increase, according to the ministry.
"In countries like France and the United Kingdom, where anti-Semitism is on the rise, and alongside the ministry's ongoing efforts to encourage aliyah, we are seeing an increase in the number of immigrants," said Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer.
Security and Quality of Life
For 21-year-old Yosef, the decision to make Aliyah came naturally. In the summer of 2023, he decided to come to Israel to study at a yeshiva - a Talmudic school. He then found a job, made friends, and was captivated by the "atmosphere" there.
The young man, who claims to be a practicing Jew, asserts that it is easier to practice his faith in Israel. He cites the debates surrounding the wearing of religious symbols in public places, which Muslims often face in France.
"In Israel, being Jewish is normal: 70% of the population are Jews. A religious Jew who wants to observe Shabbat and wear a kippah can do so, and no one objects," he said in an interview with Euronews.
"In France, it can be difficult to live and thrive as a Jew," he continues, citing examples of people who have to travel long distances to find a kosher store or an open synagogue.
"But it’s not France’s fault and it’s not the fault of the French," he emphasizes.
Yael Latanytsky decided to make her Aliyah for "quality of life" and to "live [her] Judaism."
"The push came from difficulties in renting an apartment in Paris," explains this mother who moved to Israel with her children. "I wanted to start a new life without housing problems."
Although there are no statistical data on the reasons for emigration to Israel, Emmanuel Sion, president of the Jewish Agency for French-speaking countries, puts forward one hypothesis: security.
"In France, there is a feeling of anxiety that makes people think about their future," he explained to Euronews.
In December of last year, the Interministerial Delegation for the Fight Against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Anti-LGBT Hatred (Dilcrah) reported that from January to the end of October 2025, there were 1,163 anti-Semitic acts recorded. Although this figure decreased compared to the previous year (1,570 cases), it is still significantly higher than in 2022, when 441 acts were recorded during the same period.
3,300 Departures from 430,000 French Jews
Emmanuel Sion believes that the departures will continue.
"According to our forecasts, aliyah will continue to grow. From 2023 to 2024, the increase was 100%, and I think it will continue. This is a global phenomenon in France," he explains.
This opinion is shared by Yosef, who visited France two months ago.
"I went into a synagogue. All the conversations were about aliyah," he says, citing several people: some said they had bought property in Israel, others said they wanted to leave within a year.
"In Jewish communities, this is indeed a constant topic. And it is true that the situation in France has become difficult for a Jew. Of course, there is security there, but Israel has many advantages," he says.
On the other hand, he admits that the situation in Israel "is not extraordinary, with rockets, wars, and October 7. But there is a real sense of solidarity among the entire population and a feeling that we are all going through this together."
Like most people making aliyah, Yael Latanytsky and Yosef say they do not regret their choice. For his part, Emmanuel Sion explains that he has received nothing but positive feedback, although it is "still immigration," with a "new language, new culture, new rhythm."
On the other hand, the chairman of the Jewish Agency for French-speaking countries would like to analyze these departures on a global scale.
"There are about 430,000 Jews living in France. 3,300 departures is not such a large number. And even with a 100% increase in the number of those who left by 3,300 people, which has already increased by 145% compared to the number of those who left before October 7, we will not reach even 2% of the Jewish population of France," Sion explains, refuting the claim that France is getting rid of its Jews.
Half as Many French People Leaving as in 2015
However, the number of people making aliyah has not reached record levels for those leaving France. In 2015, after the jihadist attacks in Paris on Charlie Hebdo, Hyper Cacher, and Bataclan, about 7,900 people decided to emigrate to Israel. Then this number stabilized at around 2,500 people per year, before rising again after the attack on October 7, 2023.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, according to official data, more than 130,000 people have left France to settle there. The departure and acquisition of Israeli citizenship are facilitated by the "Law of Return," which allows Jews with at least one Jewish grandparent, as well as their spouses, to move to Israel and obtain citizenship.
But while the number of arrivals in Israel continues to grow, the country is also experiencing a significant wave of departures, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). In 2025, more than 79,000 Israelis left the country, writes the Jerusalem Post, explaining that the country "continues to record a negative migration balance."
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