France to send 4,000 Jews to Israel in 2026

More than 4,000 Jews have arrived in Israel from France since the start of 2026. This figure represents a nearly 50% increase compared to the same period last year. The Aliyah and Integration Ministry is preparing for the possibility that political turmoil in France will restrict capital transfers.

Dganit Sankar-Langa, the ministry director-general, told Walla on Monday that the ministry is preparing for a scenario where a post-election government decision makes it harder to move money out of France. This concern centers on the potential for restrictions that would complicate the process for French Jews bringing their savings to Israel.

The economic crisis in France is driving immigration alongside antisemitism. Sankar-Langa noted that France has one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in OECD countries. The ministry is currently providing tax, pension, and financial guidance to prospective immigrants to help them navigate these challenges.

The surge in arrivals has prompted Israeli officials to act proactively. In October, the ministry, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Ofek Israeli held fairs in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. The Paris event alone attracted more than 600 households, representing about 2,000 people. Approximately 90% of attendees expressed a desire to immigrate immediately or during 2027.

Company representatives joined the Paris fair for the first time to recruit employees before they arrive. Firms included Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Mekorot, Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot, and the National Artificial Intelligence Headquarters. Representatives met with about 200 prospective immigrants. They identified more than 50 candidates suitable for available positions and began advanced interviews the following day.

Minister Ofir Sofer said the ministry is preparing to absorb thousands more immigrants. He stated that bringing major companies to France is a strategy to ensure quality employment, which he views as central to successful integration. The prime minister has instructed officials to formulate a dedicated government plan to encourage immigration and integration from France.

Many immigrants from France are establishing themselves in close-knit communities. While previous waves concentrated in Netanya, Tel Aviv, and Ashdod, new groups have formed in Nahariya, Afula, Hadera, and Haifa. In Or Akiva, approximately 200 French immigrants have settled in recent years. These communities help new arrivals preserve their culture and cope with the challenges of integration.

Roni, a 75-year-old French-Israeli who has lived in Paris since 1975, describes a shift in the social atmosphere. He said that speaking Hebrew or mentioning his roots in a business setting used to be a point of pride. Now, he and his wife are more careful, sometimes avoiding Hebrew in taxis or at airports. He moved a mezuzah from an outside doorpost to the inside several years ago.

Roni and his wife have purchased an apartment in Herzliya. He visits Israel three or four times a year, sometimes staying for a month. He noted that he hears more French in shops and on padel courts in Herzliya during each visit. He came to Israel specifically to vote in the elections scheduled for Tuesday.

Sankar-Langa said she has worked at the ministry for 12 years and has never seen such determination among prospective immigrants. She described the current wave as distinct from previous surges, such as the one following the Russia-Ukraine war, where many arrived with minimal preparation. The current goal is to remove bureaucratic obstacles and ensure immigrants integrate successfully and remain in the country.