Over 16,000 new immigrants arrive in Israel despite Iran war, say they have no regrets

Jewish immigrants who recently arrived in Israel remain upbeat about their new country despite the war against Iran.

While studying Hebrew at absorption centers across Israel, the new immigrants (olim) are also adapting to the reality of running to safety shelters and learning to distinguish between early alerts and real rocket sirens. Yet, most say they have no regrets, emphasizing that moving to Israel has fulfilled a lifelong dream.

According to data from the Jewish Agency and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, about 16,000 new immigrants have arrived in Israel since the launch of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion against the Iranian regime in June of last year.

A group of about 200 new immigrants from Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Uruguay and Cuba, currently reside in the northern Israeli city of Karmiel, which has been affected by missile attacks from Iran as well as cross-border rocket fire from Lebanon by the Iranian terror proxy group Hezbollah.

Juan Bender, a 75-year-old professor, made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel two months ago, choosing the Jewish state over living a quiet retirement life in Havana or in the United States.

“I’m Israeli now, not Cuban,” Bender said with pride, in comments made to Ynet News.

“I’m happy to be Israeli at a time like this. I want to help people here and work in areas of expertise. My family in Cuba and the U.S. call me very worried, but I tell them not to worry, that I’m doing well. I prefer living here. This is my home,” he emphasized.

Julian and Paula Lipovsky, along with their daughter Leslie (12), made aliyah from Argentina a month ago after spending 25 years living a comfortable life in California. However, they do not regret their move to the Jewish state despite the many challenges.

“We are Jews, and this is the best time for us to be here, to be part of everything happening,” Julian said in an interview with the Israeli news outlet Yedioth Ahronoth. “After October 7, 2023, I was watching the news constantly. I realized that if something so terrible can happen to Jews in the State of Israel, then something bad can happen anywhere, and this is our place.”

“It’s a difficult decision to leave everything behind, but I’m sure all of this will end and things here will be better for everyone,” he added.

While their daughter is happy to be in Israel, she admitted she misses some things from Argentina.

“The food in Argentina is much better,” Leslie said. “I miss Nicolo ice cream so much. It’s the best ice cream in the world.”

She continued, “I’ve already spent many nights sleeping in the shelter here, and I don’t like it. But what I like even less is waking up to sirens while I’m asleep. I’m not afraid. I don’t think they would target an absorption center. We’re not really interesting to them. They want to fire at hospitals or government institutions,” Leslie said.

Vitaly Korkin (19) moved from Russia to Israel alone four months ago and expressed his enthusiasm about living in the only country in the world with a Jewish majority.

“In my city, in Russia, there was only one synagogue and the Jewish community was small,” he recalled. “Here, it’s amazing to see so many Jews. I feel safe in Israel and in Karmiel. People smile here.”

He said his parents in Russia are concerned about his safety during this war.

“Everything is fine. I’m not afraid because we have shelters, the U.S. army helps us and we have a strong army,” he said.

Worldwide antisemitism is on the rise following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack in 2023. In January 2026, Israel launched a large Jewish immigration campaign.

Most Jews in the diaspora currently live in North America and Europe.

Jewish Agency Chairman Maj.-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog placed the current Iran war in a wider context of Jewish history.

“Precisely in days of war and uncertainty, we are witnessing a moving phenomenon that tells the true story of the Jewish people. It is a story of unconditional love,” Almog explained.

“Aliyah is the engine of Israel's growth. It is not an obvious decision, but a choice that sharpens the essence of life here. Aliyah is an anchor of hope for all of us.”