The wave of immigration from Russia and Ukraine, which includes about 40,000 people entitled to the Law of Return who arrived in Israel since the outbreak of the war in Europe, is one of the significant challenges facing the country and the new government that will be formed.
Among the talks about the Iranian threat, the wave of terrorism and the cost of living, it must be remembered that these immigrants are our human capital reserve, and that the success of their absorption has great significance for Israeli society and the economy.
Immigration to Israel is one of the cornerstones upon which the state is based, as already written in the Declaration of Independence: "The State of Israel shall be open to Jewish immigration and to Kibbutz Galyot."
Although the circumstances have changed over the years, and today there is no need to drain swamps and make the wilderness bloom, but the new Zionism is based on the tremendous contribution of the new immigrants to the Israeli economy, society and culture.
The last massive wave of immigration to the State of Israel was in the early 1990s, during which about a million Jews from the former Soviet Union arrived in Israel.
Today it is already a proven fact, backed by research, that this is one of the reasons for Israel's transformation into a start-up nation whose name precedes it in the entire world.
Since the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine, more than 40,000 people entitled to the Law of Return immigrated to the State of Israel, making up 80% of all immigrants who immigrated to Israel in 2022 (January to September).
Most of the immigrants who came from Ukraine immigrated without preparation, within a few weeks, without resources and with a deficient family composition.
Many organizations, led by the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, handled their immigration and absorption in Israel.
The current wave of immigration, as mentioned, is the most significant challenge that will accompany Israel in the coming year.
Many of the immigrants who immigrated to Israel are men and women of working age, immigrants with degrees and proven work experience.
This wave may grow even more, and the State of Israel needs to prepare for that.
Many of the immigrants from Russia and the region come to Israel with a rich technological background, and they can integrate into the high-tech industry relatively easily, and provide a response to thousands of jobs that are lacking in Israel in technological fields.
Their successful absorption in Israeli society takes on a new importance in light of the data, according to which there has been a significant decrease in the increase in almost all other countries.
The factors hindering immigration to Israel are known, and solving the barriers must be a priority of the government that will be established.
It is about the cost of living, fear of finding a job, difficulty in acquiring a new language, difficulties in finding housing and more.
The economic recession, which many countries are experiencing these days, is also a challenge for many who are considering immigrating and see Israel as their natural home.
Although there are benefits for new immigrants as part of the absorption basket, learning Hebrew and assistance with the rent - but it seems that the set of difficulties mentioned outweighs the current assistance, and therefore it is necessary to significantly increase the overall assistance for immigrants.
The story of the new immigrants is intertwined with the story of the State of Israel and the story of Zionism.
It is our duty to help them integrate into Israel, both for Zionist and practical reasons, since their contribution to the Israeli economy and society, as has already been proven, is immeasurable.
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