New Wave of Immigration to Israel Begins with Special Flight from France
On the night of July 6, 2026, a group of 128 new immigrants from France arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, marking the beginning of the summer 2026 aliyah season, which refers to Jewish immigration to Israel. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to embrace Jewish individuals seeking a new life in Israel.
“Immigration to Israel lies at the heart of the Jewish narrative,” stated Maj. Gen. Doron Almog (Ret.), the head of the Jewish Agency. He emphasized the significance of aliyah during challenging times for Israeli society, noting that each new immigrant contributes to the collective future of the nation.
The flight was organized by the Jewish Agency in collaboration with Israel’s Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, underscoring a strong commitment to facilitate the integration of new arrivals.
The cohort included a diverse range of ages, from three-month-old twins Carla and Avital to 73-year-old Max, who traveled with his daughter’s family and five-month-old grandson Menachem. This highlights the multi-generational appeal of emigrating to Israel, with families seeking to establish roots in their ancestral homeland.
This group is part of a larger influx of migrants following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. According to data from the ministry and the Jewish Agency, over 67,100 immigrants from various countries have relocated to Israel during this period, with approximately one-third of them under the age of 35.
The number of immigrants from France has surged significantly, with 1,097 arrivals in 2023, doubling to 2,234 in 2024, and reaching 3,357 in 2025—an increase of more than 200%. So far in 2026, around 790 French newcomers have arrived, compared to approximately 690 during the same timeframe last year. Since the October attack, more than 6,500 migrants have made the journey from France to Israel.
The increase in French immigration is also evident in the volume of immigration files opened at the Jewish Agency’s Global Aliyah Center. Since October 7, over 75,000 Jews worldwide have initiated immigration processes, with about 18,500 from France. Notably, around 2,500 of these French files were opened since the beginning of 2026, representing a 30% rise compared to the same period last year.
Further flights this summer are anticipated to ferry thousands of additional migrants to Israel, many of whom are families planning to settle before the school year starts. Among the new arrivals this week, 65 children and adolescents are set to enroll in Israeli schools, including eight infants. It is estimated that nearly one-third of these newcomers will settle in Netanya, while others will distribute across cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ra’anana, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Beersheba.
Recent reports reveal that rising anti-Semitism abroad and ongoing conflict within Israel are critical factors influencing migration decisions. A study released in May suggested that, at the current growth trajectory, Israel could potentially host the majority of the world’s Jewish population within the next decade, as outlined in a report by the London-based Jewish Policy Institute.
