Tel aviv: A recent official Knesset report revealed a significant decrease in the number of Israelis returning to the country, alongside an increase in departures, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the report highlights the global hostility towards Israel and a complex sense of belonging that might have otherwise led to an increase in returnees, despite ongoing conflict. The report was issued by the Knesset Research and Information Center amidst global criticism over Israel's US-backed military actions in Gaza since October 8, 2023, which have resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage.
The human toll includes over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 174,000 injuries, predominantly affecting women and children, with 90% of Gaza's infrastructure reportedly destroyed. The United Nations estimates that reconstruction will cost approximately $70 billion.
Between 2022 and 2024, the number of Israelis returning to the country dropped by 53%, as highlighted by the Knesset report. The report, however, did not provide specific data for 2025. The decline coincides with data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics and academic research indicating a marked increase in Israelis leaving the country.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that returning Israelis face several bureaucratic, economic, and social challenges, including lengthy waits for state health insurance, fewer benefits compared to new immigrants, job market difficulties, and challenges in integrating children into the education system. The average annual number of returnees fell from around 9,300 between 2008 and 2012 to approximately 7,400 between 2013 and 2020.
The steepest decline in returnees was recorded from about 8,000 in 2020 to approximately 3,800 in 2024, marking the lowest numbers in recent years. The report also noted that the most substantial drop occurred in 2023, though further details were not provided.
The decrease in return migration has contributed to a migration balance deficit for Israel between 2022 and 2024, with a net loss of approximately 140,000 people during this period. Historically, North America has been the primary source of returning Israelis, but numbers from this region have also declined sharply.
From 2005 to 2024, about half of all returnees came from North America, while 13% returned from Britain, Germany, and France, and 6% from Russia and Ukraine. The number of returnees from the US decreased significantly from around 3,700 in 2020 to only 1,500 in 2024. In contrast, the proportion of returnees from Russia and Ukraine rose significantly in 2022, a likely consequence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.