Israel is experiencing a sharp rise in emigration, driven by anti-democratic reforms, the October 7 attack, the Gaza war, and mounting economic strain. A Knesset report shows that the number of Israelis leaving the country has more than doubled since 2023, while immigration has steadily declined over the past decade.
From early 2022 to mid-2024, over 125,000 citizens moved abroad—the greatest loss of human capital in such a short period—and the trend is believed to have continued into 2025 as the war persisted.
MK Gilad Kariv, chair of the Knesset Immigration Committee, warned that the phenomenon has become “a tsunami,” with more Israelis choosing to build their futures overseas and fewer returning.
He described the exodus as a serious strategic threat to Israel’s social resilience, accusing the government of pursuing policies that undermine Zionist values and the country’s future.
Citing Central Bureau of Statistics data, the report notes a net loss of 145,900 citizens between 2020 and 2024, with long-term departures surging especially after the outbreak of war in October 2023.
Israeli PM Netanyahu
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