Despite wars and missiles, World Zionist Organization head believes 'within five years most Jews will live in Israel'

With Israel’s home front under daily bombardment from Iranian missiles and Hezbollah rockets, it would be natural to assume that large numbers of Jewish people would be trying to leave the country, while few would be trying to immigrate. But the exact opposite trends are happening, as veteran Israelis are determined to stand their ground, and hundreds of thousands of Jewish people all over the world have taken steps towards making aliyah (immigrating to Israel).

Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), is not surprised.

During an interview with Israel's Ynet News portal on Tuesday, he said, “I have no doubt we will see many more Jews here. I have no doubt we will see a stronger identity here, and I have no doubt we will make the effort. Within five years, with God’s help, most Jews will live in Israel.”

Although life in Israel has been difficult during the past few years of war – and with the nation currently enduring tremendous hardship from the missile bombardments and the extended government “state of emergency”, there is also a sense that these challenges are nothing Israel can’t handle. Polls show a high level of public trust in the IDF, as well as civilian emergency agencies like Magen David Adom and the Israel Police.

In many diaspora communities, the trend is moving in the opposite direction, as local police and even national governments struggle to address skyrocketing levels of antisemitism. In some places, including New York City – home to one of the largest concentrations of Jews outside of Israel – political leaders have been criticized for failing to adequately protect Jews.

Many Israeli officials and Jewish leaders in the diaspora say the handwriting is on the wall: aliyah has gone from being a nice idea to becoming an urgent necessity.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with representatives of diaspora communities in Jerusalem late last year, declaring, “At a time when Jews are under attack around the world, Israel remains their anchor and home.”

Knesset Member Ofir Sofer agreed with Herzog during a meeting of the Knesset Immigration Committee last November, saying, “Despite the war, we see that many Jews still choose to come and build their future here.”

Leaders of diaspora communities report growing concern among their constituents about the rising tide of antisemitism and the general breakdown of public safety and economic security in many places where Jews have lived and thrived for generations, especially in the West.

Israel’s issues, while significant, are perceived to be manageable – perhaps even a challenge to take on. For instance, the Jewish Agency for Israel has reported in recent years that many of the new olim (immigrants) are young, with a large percentage coming specifically to serve in the Israeli military as “lone soldiers.” Many of them remain in Israel after the service, attend university, get married and build their lives in the country.

The Israeli government is also taking steps to make the aliyah process easier, including passing laws to simplify tax obligations in both Israel and the country of origin – one of the many issues that have discouraged some from making the move. Other bureaucratic hurdles are also being removed, and there is a growing number of public and private initiatives to attract new immigrants and help them get started and integrate.