TELโฏAVIV โ A flight carrying 110 new immigrants from France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands landed at BenโGurion Airport today, marking the first aliyah influx since the recent regional conflict subsided.
The Ministry of Immigration and Absorption and the Jewish Agency, in partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, organized the charter flight, originally scheduled before the June 13 preemptive strike against Iranโs nuclear facilities.
Immigration Minister OfirโฏSofer welcomed the new olim, observing: โIn other countries, when there is war, people flee, but in our country, people come to join us.โ
Among the arrivals are young adults who intend to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces as โlone soldiers.โ Under IDF regulations, olim aged 18โ21 are required to serve, while those over 22 may volunteer.
Since Octoberโฏ7, 2023, more than 45,000 new immigrants have made aliyah, with roughly oneโthird under the age of 35. A majority of this flightโs passengers originated from France.
HillelโฏFuld, an IsraeliโAmerican commentator, noted on X: โThe first Olim since the war ended just landed in Israel! 100 new immigrants from France, Spain, the U.K., and Holland arrived home today.โ
The arrival reinforces a long-standing trend of Western aliyah driven by growing antisemitism abroad and deep Zionist commitment. In 2024, immigration declined by 30โฏpercent overall to 32,161, yet interest from Europe and North America remained strong.
Nefesh BโNefesh noted that programs like GarinโฏTzabar support lone soldiers from countries including France, Spain, the U.K., and the Netherlands. These initiatives provide housing, Hebrew classes, and integration support to new olim committed to serving in the IDF.
The new immigrants will begin absorption procedures in Ulpanim and receive assistance securing employment. Young arrivals who serve in the IDF may enter the GarinโฏTzabar or Lone Soldiers programs designed for overseas volunteers.
This article is based on verified information from The Times of Israel, The Jewish Press, Jewish News UK, HillelโฏFuldโs verified social media, NefeshโฏBโNefesh, Israeli government sources, and Wikipedia.