Israel Overhauls Immigration System to Support New Arrivals Pre-Move

Israel is implementing a significant overhaul of its immigration system, known as Aliyah, aiming to provide comprehensive support to potential immigrants even before they arrive in the country. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration plans to offer remote consultations and assistance with employment, language acquisition, housing, and family adaptation prior to relocation.

This new approach, detailed by Ministry Director-General Deganit Sanker-Lang at the Ynet Global Aliyah Live conference, acknowledges a shift in the profile of new immigrants. The ministry observes a younger, more diverse demographic with different expectations for state services and a desire for quicker integration into Israeli society. Key changes include initiating Hebrew language studies and job searches before departure, utilizing platforms like WhatsApp for communication.

The ministry is emphasizing an individualized support model, tailoring services to each immigrant's profession, family situation, and other circumstances. An example cited is a program for North American English teachers, which assists with job placement, children's education, and housing before their move. This aims to mitigate the challenging initial period of settling in, which typically involves simultaneous efforts to find work, secure housing, learn the language, and navigate bureaucratic systems.

Special attention is being given to potential immigrants from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and South Africa, with the ministry linking increased interest from these countries partly to rising antisemitism. The concept of "community Aliyah" is also being promoted, encouraging groups to settle in the same locality to ease social integration and foster development, particularly in northern and southern Israel. This strategy views new immigrants as a resource for strengthening border regions, especially in the context of the ongoing war following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

Since October 7, approximately 66,000 people have immigrated to Israel. Additional programs are being developed for lone soldiers serving in the IDF who arrive without close relatives. Despite these initiatives, the high cost of living, particularly housing, remains a significant barrier for many prospective immigrants, a challenge the ministry intends to address in collaboration with other government bodies, NGOs, and the private sector.