Le Monde: Israel is witnessing an unprecedented flight... and these are the most prominent reasons

Thousands of Israelis have left the country to settle abroad, and more may do so in the future, Le Monde reported, noting that the economic situation has an impact, but that insecurity, the war in Gaza, the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the growing status of religion in society are all factors that have accelerated the trend.

The newspaper - in a report written by its correspondent from Tel Aviv, Isabel Mandraud - began with the story of the musician Roy (34 years old), who no longer sees a future for himself in Israel, where he was born, despite being a successful producer, singer and guitarist.

The young man, who does not want to reveal his identity, is preparing, according to the newspaper, to immigrate to Spain with his wife. He says, “We are not shouting from the rooftops, because we are ashamed to leave before the war is completely over. It is a complicated moment. I love my country, but I see that dark years await us.” He adds, “The Netanyahu government has crossed several thresholds that pose a danger to democracy. There is a contradiction between law and religion, and the number of extremists is increasing.”

Record levels

Mickey, 30, has already made the move, recently moving with his wife and two young children to Paphos, where he has set up an e-commerce business in the town on Cyprus' west coast. He does not want to be named, the reporter says.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but between the increasing economic difficulties in Israel and the lack of security, we realized that we had to leave,” Mickey says. “Every time I went out with my children, I carried a weapon like many Israeli civilians.”

Paphos is becoming an increasingly attractive destination, says Alice Shani, an Israeli who owns a real estate company that was established there years ago. “Last year, 200 families arrived and more are still arriving,” she said by phone. “Every day I get questions about schools and daily life. Most of the newcomers are in their 30s and work in high-tech.”

According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics issued in December 2024, the number of departures reached record levels, with 82,700 Israelis leaving the country without the war being the reason.

Only 24,000 Israelis returned in 2024, according to the report, meaning that this gap “represents a radical change compared to the previous decade,” explains Yitzhak Sasson, a professor of sociology at Tel Aviv University.

Political concerns

“Many immigrants left before October 7,” explains Isaac Sasson. “I think some of them left the country because of the political instability in Israel and the controversial judicial reform. This increase in immigration is worrying; there is a belief that the immigrants have higher than average educational levels. The main danger is that Israel will experience a brain drain.”

As the first months of the war in Gaza and then Lebanon passed, this trend became more evident, the correspondent says. “I have never seen anything like this in my 30-year career,” says Ilan Revivo, 50, whose company specializes in helping Jews settle in Israel. Now he says the opposite is happening.

The businessman believes that the war is not the only reason behind this exit, saying, “Those who leave are more afraid of the political situation, they are not optimistic about the future, they think about their children, and they seek a second nationality. I think the weight of religiosity in the country plays a big role in their decision.”

The newspaper concluded that no one knows today whether the fragile truce in Gaza will be enough to stop the displacement, especially since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the government reserves the “right” to resume the war if it sees fit. The truth is that many Israelis are hostile to the policies pursued by the ruling coalition dominated by the extreme right, which Roy sums up in one sentence: “If nothing changes in the next elections, more people will leave.”

Source: Le Monde