Also, there is competition for the Jews of France. The Bloc Québéçois would like to bring them to Canada.
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Posted on 02/06/2005 11:52:21 AM PST by anotherview
Feb. 6, 2005 15:30 | Updated Feb. 6, 2005 16:01
Immigration to Israel drops 9.5%
By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER
Immigration to Israel dropped 9.5 percent in 2004, the Jewish Agency announced at a press conference on Wednesday. The main reason for the drop was a decrease in immigration from former Soviet Union (FSU) countries, from 12,000 in 2003 to some 10,000 in 2004.
The Jewish Agency believes that the number of immigrants from FSU countries can increase in the coming years if Israel's negotiations with Germany to cut benefits to Russian Jews bear fruit.
According to the German media, starting in January 2006, only FSU Jews who are under the age of 45 and familiar with the German language would be eligible to immigrate.
The reports said the move came in response to the fact that more FSU Jews were immigrating to Germany rather than Israel, and that they imposed a heavy economic burden on the Jewish community, since many are dependent on welfare. Under the new policy, those who immigrate would not be eligible for social aid.
Meanwhile, the JA noted, Western European immigration rose 13%, notably because of the 2,415 French immigrants who came, representing a 16% increase in comparison with 2003.
In addition, immigration from North America were the highest in the last 20 years. During 2004, 2,640 Jews from North America chose Israel as their new home, an increase of 11%.
"The reservoir of Jews who are in distress is disappearing; the Jewish Agency has to invest in people coming by choice," Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor said.
He noted, however, that the problems immigrants face in receiving recognition of academic degrees and professional certification by Israel hinders such "aliyah of choice."
He also said that short term visits by young Diaspora Jews, such as those who come on trips such as Birthright, reached 35,000 in 2004, which was even higher than before the outbreak of the intifada in 2000.
Meridor also noted that since the Jewish Agency was going to be taking over the compound holding the Falash Mura, Ethiopian descendants of Jews who converted to Christianity and have since returned to Judaism, in Ethiopia, the Agency would need to recruit millions of dollars over the next three years.
Last week, the government decided to double the monthly rate of immigration of the Falash Mura from 300 to 600 to allow the entire community to immigrate over the next few years. In addition, the government decision stipulated that the Jewish Agency would assume responsibility for the compounds in Addis Ababa and Gondar that now contain the Falash Mura, once the 600 immigrants come for three straight months. Until now, the compounds have been left to the care of the non-profit North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ).
Meridor said last week that the agency had deferred taking responsibility for the compounds because it wanted to be sure it was providing services only to those Ethiopians eligible to immigrate. The Interior Ministry, which has already been reviewing the list of those seeking entry, now has six months to determine who has a matrilineal link to Judaism. Meridor expects the number of those in the compounds and surrounding villages who are eligible to be between 15,000 and 20,000 individuals.
Of course. It's safer to be in Israel than to be a Jew in France with all the anti-Semitism.
In addition, immigration from North America were the highest in the last 20 years. During 2004, 2,640 Jews from North America chose Israel as their new home, an increase of 11%.
Very good news indeed.
"The reservoir of Jews who are in distress is disappearing; the Jewish Agency has to invest in people coming by choice," Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor said.
Also good news, and also what aliyah should be all about. So long as Jews feel Zionistic and feel strong ties to Israel they will come.
I remeber seeing a program a while back that reported on the marketing Isreal is doing in the U.S. to attract new imigration. It was very interesting, and may explain the increase of emigration from the U.S.
Also, there is competition for the Jews of France. The Bloc Québéçois would like to bring them to Canada.
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What are the numbers for Canadian immigration?
The Jewish Agency believes that the number of immigrants from FSU countries can increase in the coming years if Israel's negotiations with Germany to cut benefits to Russian Jews bear fruit.
Hooray ... we'll get Germany to tighten the screws (again)! Strange fruit, IMHO.
Excellent question. Anti-Semitic attacks in Canada are way up.
I'd put Canada not far behind France in terms of anti-Semitism. Why would a Jew choose to emigrate to Canada over the US or Israel?
There are lots of liberal Jews in the Democratic party who hate Bush. And it would be a < sarcasm > terrible </sarcasm > thing to see them move to some other country.
Unfortunately, they seem to hate Israel even more than Bush.
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