Jewish Agency Chief Almog: Israel can absorb one million new immigrants amid rising antisemitism
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called aliyah an economic growth engine as government ministers and Jewish leaders discussed preparations for a potential wave of immigration.
Jewish Agency chief Doron Almog claimed Israel possesses the resources to accommodate a million new immigrants, speaking at the "Absorbing the Next Million" conference in Jerusalem. The event, organized by Habayta, gathered government officials, community leaders, and immigrant representatives to discuss the challenge amidst growing antisemitism and international uncertainty for Jewish communities.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized immigration as an economic catalyst for Israel, asserting that attracting new residents would bolster the nation's economy. He commended Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer for his efforts, describing immigration as both a national priority and an opportunity for economic growth.
Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli cautioned that unstable countries with significant Jewish populations could face severe instability, urging preparedness for potential threats. He highlighted language barriers as a major obstacle for newly arrived immigrants, noting the difficulty of navigating daily life without proficiency in Hebrew or English.
Integration was a focal point of the discussions, with experts emphasizing the importance of education, social connections, and cultural assimilation. Roi Aviksis of KKL-JNF stressed the role of schools in fostering a sense of belonging, while Rabbi Doron Perez called for introducing immigrants to Israel's history and national identity.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
