Israel welcomes 20,000 Olim from Europe since outbreak of war in Ukraine
Close to three months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, Israel’s Ministry of Immigration and Absorption welcomed 20,000 Olim (new immigrants) from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, as part of the historic operation for emergency reception of refugees from Ukraine and its environs.
Jewish Ukrainian refugees who fled from war zones in Ukraine arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport from Romania on a rescue flight. Lod, Mar 7, 2022. Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
According to data from the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, 24% of the new immigrants are children and adolescents aged 0-17, while 17% of the immigrants are adults aged 66 and over. About 22% of immigrants aged 18-35, 20% of immigrants are aged 36-50, and about 16% of immigrants aged 51-65.
678 Holocaust survivors immigrated to Israel and found homes in sheltered housing throughout the country.
Thanks to the housing plans approved by the government, many of the immigrants have already moved to permanent housing, and now less than 1,140 new immigrants are staying in hotels rented by the state.
As of mid-May, about 1,250 children were absorbed into educational institutions in 50 different authorities. Meanwhile, the Ministry is operating about 40 Hebrew language schools for adults.
Minister of Aliyah and Absorption Pnina Tamano Shata stated Wednesday that “in two and a half months, 20,000 immigrants arrived, a very happy figure for Ukrainian Jews coming to Israel. Many of the immigrants have already been absorbed and integrated into local authorities all over the country, and there is still a lot of work ahead of us.”
There are an estimated 200,000 Ukrainians who are eligible for Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return.
