Aliya is rising in Israel for the first time in a long time - about a decade. Still not a significant number or anywhere near what Israel would like to see, the increase from the 14,000 or so new immigrants in 2008 to over 16,000 in 2009 is a welcome change and one hoped to indicate a new trend.
The 16,200 olim registered during 2009 were close to equally divided between the former Soviet Union and English-speaking countries, goth numbers reflecting increases from their 2008 levels.
The overall number of new arrivals has been dropping since immigration from the former Soviet Union peaked in the 1990s. Sunday's statement said a total of 221,000 Jews immigrated over the past decade.
Sixty percent of the new Israeli citizens were under the age of 36, and the number of native English speakers moving to Israelis swelled by 17 percent.
Natan Sharansky, head of The Jewish Agency, said that his organization is adopting a "red carpet policy" for the new immigrants. This policy includes guiding new immigrants from touchdown at the airport through the procedures of opening files with the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), medical plans and banks.
“Every immigrant who arrives in Israel strengthens the country and brings a strategic asset” with him." he said. Immigration Minister Landver noted, "We are witnessing an unprecedented number of Israelis who are returning to the country."
Dozens of Jews fled to the Jewish State from Muslim countries this past year, including 46 from Yemen, 25 from Morocco, 13 from Tunis and three from Lebanon.
They also came from far-flung countries with tiny Jewish populations. Four moved from Hong Kong, three from Japan and one each from Martinique, Madagascar, Kenya and Taiwan.
