230 new immigrants from France landed in Israel on Monday in four flights organized by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, part of the summer 2026 immigration operation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer, and dozens of Bnei Akiva youth movement members greeted the arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport. The summer 2026 immigration operation is expected to bring thousands of new immigrants to Israel from countries around the world during the summer months, many of them families with children seeking to settle in before the school year begins.
1+Ministry of Immigration and Absorption data shows that since October 7, more than 67,100 new immigrants have arrived in Israel from countries worldwide. France continues to be one of the main source countries for immigration, with a sharp increase in recent years. According to the figures, 1,097 immigrants came from France in 2023, the number doubled to 2,234 in 2024, and 2025 saw another jump to 3,357 new immigrants—a more than 200 percent increase within two years. The trend is continuing in 2026, with roughly 800 immigrants from France arriving so far, compared to about 690 in the same period last year. In total, more than 6,500 immigrants from France have arrived since October 7.
1+Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the immigrants, saying: “We receive our dear brothers immigrating from France with blessing and excitement. The people of Israel is returning to its land and fulfilling with its own hands the vision of the end of days with a strong economy and a thriving state. The Finance Ministry under my leadership is providing immigrants with everything needed to give them a full absorption package and a smooth landing.”
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer added: “I welcome our French Jewish brothers who continue to immigrate to Israel. The desire of Jews to be part of the Zionist story, together with the processes we led in the ministry and the infrastructure we built to encourage immigration from Western countries, are bringing more and more immigrants to choose Israel as their home. The immigrants strengthen the economy, the health system, academia, and the security establishment. I call on Israeli citizens to welcome them, help them integrate into the community, and be partners in their successful absorption.”