Immigration to Israel Hits 10-Year High

YERUSHALAYIM (Hamodia Staff) —

Immigration to Israel hit a 10-year high in 2014, according to government figures released on Wednesday.

With 26,500 new immigrants, it marked a 32 percent increase over 2013, when about 20,000 came.

Much of the increase was due to a record-breaking number from France, almost 7,000 during a year that saw anti-Semitism continue to be a major concern for Jews there. In 2013, only 3,400 French Jews immigrated to Israel, according to data from The Jewish Agency the Ministry of Absorption.

In addition, 5,840 new immigrants came from Ukraine, versus  some 2,020 in 2013. The dramatic change was attributed to the ongoing instability in the eastern part of the country.

Latin America contributed 1,070 immigrants, similar to last year’s numbers. Brazil sent 300 immigrants compared to 210 in 2013. Approximately 297 immigrants came from Argentina, 76 from Mexico, 70 from Venezuela, 62 from Colombia, 58 from Uruguay, and 52 from Chile.

Approximately 3,470 immigrants came from the United States, compared to some 3,200 in 2013 — an 8% increase. Some 400 immigrants came from Canada, compared to some 384 last year.

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