Feeling at Home: 140 New Immigrants Arrive from France to Israel
140 new immigrants from France arrived in Israel on a special "Families Flight." During the journey, the passengers received their official documents, becoming Israeli citizens while still in the air before landing at Ben Gurion Airport.
140 new immigrants from France arrived today, Monday, in Israel as part of the special "Families Flight" of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. The immigrants were personally accompanied on their way to Israel by the Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, and the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Major General (res.) Doron Almog.
The current flight highlights the broad wave of Aliyah from France, with dozens of young families among the immigrants, including 80 toddlers, children, and teenagers who are expected to integrate into the Israeli education system as early as the upcoming school year. Since October 7, 2023, more than 8,000 new immigrants from France have arrived in Israel.
Distribution of Aliyah certificates at an altitude of tens of thousands of feet
One of the most moving moments of the journey occurred even before the wheels touched the runway at Ben Gurion Airport. At an altitude of tens of thousands of feet, each of the immigrants received their Aliyah certificate and their Israeli ID number. This symbolic moment officially made them Israeli citizens and an integral part of Israeli society while still in the air.
Among the 140 immigrants, several particularly moving stories stood out: three pairs of twins — Maya and Ethel (4 months old), Noam and Nerli (5 months old), and Noa and Avidan (11 years old). Also on board was the oldest immigrant on the flight, 85-year-old Annie, who decided to fulfill an old dream: to immigrate to Israel and reunite with her children living in the country.
Data and prominence: A jump of over 30% in Aliyah from France
According to data from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency, the year 2026 shows a direct continuation of the impressive growth trend. By the end of July 2026, about 2,400 immigrants from France arrived in Israel — an increase of more than 30% compared to the same period last year.
The trend of Aliyah from France has steadily strengthened in recent years: in 2023, 1,097 immigrants arrived, in 2024 their number rose to 2,234, and in 2025 it climbed to 3,357 new immigrants.
A significant increase was also recorded in the number of Aliyah files. Since October 7, 2023, until the end of July 2026, about 80,000 Jews around the world opened Aliyah files at the Jewish Agency's "Global Aliyah Center." About 20,000 of them were Jews from France, including about 2,800 who opened files since the beginning of 2026 alone — an increase of about 30% compared to the same period last year.
Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, the immigrants were received in a festive ceremony attended by family members, representatives of the authorities, donors of the Christian Embassy, and members of youth movements, who waved Israeli flags and welcomed them with songs and dances.
Voices from the field
At the welcoming ceremony, representatives of the partner organizations addressed the importance of Aliyah from France and the choice of young families to start their lives in Israel precisely during this period.
Ofir Sofer said:
"It is moving to see young families who choose to immigrate to Israel precisely in these days. They choose to raise their children here, in the State of Israel, the home of the Jewish people. We have worked to promote reforms that will facilitate the integration of immigrants into society and the labor market. Welcome to Israel."
Doron Almog described Aliyah as the growth engine of the State of Israel:
"To see immigrant children getting excited on a plane in France and getting off it as Israeli citizens, alongside parents who choose to start a new life here despite all the challenges, is a reminder of the power of Zionism. Every family that arrives strengthens the State of Israel, and our mission is to accompany it from the first moment and ensure that it feels that here is its home."
Dr. Jürgen Bühler, President of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, added:
"The increase in Aliyah from France at this time is very moving for Israel and also very encouraging in light of the ongoing war threat. We are excited to support the current wave of Jewish immigrants who have much to contribute to the economic and cultural life of Israel."
