New Immigrants from North America
225 new immigrants from North America landed in Israel on 20/8, bringing the total number of immigrants in August to over 1,000. Since October 7, more than 7,000 people have immigrated from the U.S. and Canada, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh.
Since the beginning of 2025, more than 2,300 Jews from North America have made aliyah. The newcomers were greeted by Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer, along with the founders of Nefesh B’Nefesh, who helped bring them to Israel.
More than half of the new immigrants were children and teenagers under 17, including 102 who will soon join the Israeli school system. Among the group were 24 doctors and para-medical professionals, expected to strengthen Israel’s healthcare system as part of a national program for immigrant doctors.
A streamlined process awaited the newcomers: they received their immigrant certificate on the plane and, for the first time ever, were handed their Israeli ID card immediately upon landing, thanks to representatives of the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption and the Population Authority.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the immigrants: “225 Jews returned home today, to the Land of Israel and the State of Israel. They are true heroes who chose to come at a time of trial and to be part of the renewed Jewish and Zionist story. These impressive numbers are living proof of Israel’s strength and of the deep belief in the justice of our path.”
He also thanked the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh: “This aliyah strengthens Israel’s economy, the future of the Jewish people, and the future of the state as a whole.”
A Special Fair in Netanya: Helping Newcomers Cut Through Bureaucracy
To complement the arrival of new immigrants at Ben-Gurion Airport, efforts are also underway inside Israel to ease their day-to-day integration and help them overcome bureaucratic hurdles. A large aliyah assistance fair was held in Netanya’s Miriam Stadium, bringing together government ministries, local authorities, and service providers under one roof to save new immigrants from frustrating bureaucracy.
Over 1,000 new immigrants from the Netanya area attended. The fair was aimed at those who arrived in the past five years and returning residents from the past two. Services included issuing ID cards and passports, rental assistance, National Insurance rights, employment services, and more — all on the spot, without the usual red tape.
About 15,000 new immigrants have chosen to settle in the Netanya region in the past five years, more than 9,000 of them since October 7.
Among the participants were Drs. Maria and Dmitry Korobeynikov, who immigrated from Moscow seven months ago. “We are both doctors. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Immigration and the Doctors’ Division, we’ve already made significant progress. I recently passed the licensing exam, and my wife is studying in a special ulpan for doctors. The fair gave us clear answers about our rights and opportunities, and we already have appointments set to advance our employment.”
“This was a unique event, held for the first time,” explained Ziva Benikov, Director of the Aliyah and Integration Ministry’s regional department for Netanya and Sharon. “The aim was not only to provide information, but to deliver real, practical assistance in one place. New immigrants face unfamiliar bureaucracy and scattered service points, which is why this kind of initiative is so important. We hope to replicate it in more cities soon.”
