Sharp rise in Israeli emigration raises alarm in 'Israel'
4 Min Read
Emigration aside, the number of Israelis returning from abroad also declined by 7%, with only 11,300 returning, a stark contrast to the past decade's average of 12,214.
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Travelers line up at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on Monday, September 2, 2024. (AP)
Israeli news website Ynet on Monday reported a significant rise in emigration from the occupied Palestinian territories, with data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and analyzed by the Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research showing a 42% increase in the number of Israelis choosing to leave "Israel".
This trend, observed before the outbreak of the war, has accelerated since the current coalition, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, came to power and initiated legislative changes impacting the balance of power between government branches.
According to CBS statistics, 24,900 Israelis opted to live abroad in 2023, compared to 17,520 in prior years.
The number of Israelis returning from abroad also declined by 7%, with only 11,300 returning, a stark contrast to the past decade's average of 12,214.
This disparity has created a 44% gap between emigrants and returnees, marking what analysts describe as a "statistically significant migration pattern."
Read more: Nearly half a million Israelis left occupied Palestine since October 7
'Socio-economic and political distress'
The report, authored by the Shoresh Institution, examines the migration choices of settlers born in occupied Palestine by refining data to exclude new settlers, particularly those from Russia and Ukraine, whose arrivals previously skewed broader migration statistics.
By isolating data for Israelis born in occupied Palestine, the report provides a clearer view of emigration trends affecting long-term settlers.
Authors of the report issued a warning that this mounting emigration could pose substantial socio-economic challenges if "Israel's" political and security situation remains turbulent.
They stress that the rising numbers point to serious concerns, pointing to "socio-economic and political distress" within "Israel" that calls for prompt intervention by the government.
In their conclusion, the report's authors advocate for "strategic initiatives" to address the drivers of this migration, urging the Israeli leadership to consider policies aimed at retaining its population and encouraging returnees.
"It is imperative for Israel to leverage these insights to secure its demographic and economic future," the report states, noting that addressing the determinants of migration could be crucial in stabilizing "Israel's" socio-economic landscape in the years to come.
Tens of thousands have left 'Israel' in 'great migration'
In a similar report published in mid-October, the Jerusalem Post detailed that the emigration trend among Israelis has been steadily rising, driven largely by heightened security concerns and ongoing political instability.
The October report noted a significant uptick in departures following the formation of the current coalition government, which has introduced controversial reforms affecting "Israel’s" judicial independence. These legislative changes, coupled with escalating regional tensions, have contributed to what the report describes as a "crisis of confidence" among Israelis.
According to data cited in the report, many of those leaving are young professionals and highly educated individuals, creating a "brain drain" effect that could have lasting repercussions for "Israel’s" economic and scientific sectors. The report highlighted that a substantial portion of emigrants in 2023 are in their twenties and thirties, a demographic essential to Israel's workforce and future economic stability.
Additionally, the October report pointed to a rise in financial transfers overseas, with Israeli citizens increasingly moving assets out of the occupied territories amid growing uncertainty.
Analysts warn that this movement of capital, along with the emigration of skilled labor, could have serious implications for "Israel's" long-term socio-economic resilience, especially if the political and security landscape remains unstable.
