Israelis Seeking Foreign Passports as 'Catastrophe Insurance' Amid Uncertainty
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A survey indicates Israelis are increasingly obtaining foreign passports as "catastrophe insurance" due to national uncertainties. Economic opportunities were cited by 20.7% and security concerns by 18.9%. Younger Israelis prioritize economic benefits, while older Israelis view passports as a safety net against potential crises. Attorney Yehoshua Pax suggests this reflects generational views on future planning and security.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A quarter of Israelis surveyed cited "insurance against catastrophe" as their primary reason for obtaining a foreign passport.
- Economic opportunities were the main reason for 20.7% of respondents seeking foreign passports.
- The security situation was cited as a primary reason by 18.9% of Israelis obtaining foreign passports.
- Concerns for children's futures motivated 15.9% of respondents to seek foreign passports.
- Younger Israelis (18-29) focused on economic opportunities, while older Israelis (50+) prioritized catastrophe insurance.
- Attorney Yehoshua Pax interprets the trend as a shift towards securing future options rather than immediate emigration.
A new survey reveals a significant number of Israelis are obtaining foreign passports, not primarily for relocation, but as a form of "catastrophe insurance" due to mounting national uncertainties. The "Shiluv" institute's poll of 502 Jewish Israelis aged 18 and over found that a quarter cited "insurance against catastrophe" as their main reason for seeking a foreign passport.
These findings emerge against a backdrop of years of security, economic, and social turmoil in Israel, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living increases, political polarization, the October 7th attacks, and ongoing regional conflicts. These events have fostered a pervasive sense of uncertainty about the future.
Economic opportunities were cited by 20.7% of respondents as the primary driver for obtaining a foreign passport, while 18.9% pointed to the security situation. Concerns for children's futures were a significant factor for 15.9%, and the high cost of living for 14.9%. Only 3% mentioned societal division as a reason.
Younger respondents (18-29) were most focused on economic opportunities (27.6%), while older respondents (50+) overwhelmingly viewed foreign passports as "catastrophe insurance" (35.6%). Attorney Yehoshua Pax suggests this reflects generational differences, with younger individuals seeing foreign citizenship as a key to broader career and educational possibilities, while older individuals prioritize security and maintaining options in the face of potential crises.
Middle-aged respondents (30-49) showed a more balanced concern across catastrophe insurance, cost of living, and security. Pax noted that for this group, family and career are often established, making emigration more complex, thus reinforcing the desire for a safety net. He added that older Israelis often seek foreign passports without immediate plans to use them, viewing them as a future asset akin to savings or education, signifying a shift from preparing for emigration to securing future options.