The Ministry of Immigration and Absorption held a special conference on Wednesday dedicated to providing the right support for immigrants during and after the Iron Swords War. Author Hadassah Ben Ari, known for her bestselling book A War of Heroes, moderated a panel titled “Personal Perspective.” Some panelists featured in her book shared their firsthand experiences of war.
Among the speakers were:
Ben and Natan Kilinski, who immigrated from São Paulo, Brazil, five years ago to join the IDF.
Ashtia-Avital Kassaia, an Ethiopian-Israeli whose brother was killed in Gaza.
Pinchas Lahuobum, a 10th-grade student whose family was evacuated from Sderot to a hotel in Jerusalem.
Daria Lipi, a survivor of the Nova festival massacre who immigrated from Russia at age 14.
Finding Strength in Meaning
“During the panel, I asked them how they coped as immigrants during the war and what personal strengths they discovered,” Ben Ari explained. She emphasized that many new immigrants struggle to express emotions, but consistency and accessibility in support services make a significant difference. “The central message they conveyed was that they don’t always know how to express their emotions, but it’s crucial not to give up on them. They can tell when someone genuinely wants to help, and they expect professionals to adapt their assistance to their needs—whether by overcoming language barriers or offering more accessible communication,” she said.
Finding Purpose in the Struggle
A recurring theme in the discussion was the power of meaning in overcoming adversity. “Everyone said that having a sense of purpose gave them strength,” said Ben Ari. Natan and Ben Kilinski found meaning in knowing why they were fighting. They immigrated to serve in the IDF, understanding they were fighting for Israel’s survival.
Natan shared a story about encountering terrorists firing at an IDF unit. He fired back, saving the soldiers’ lives. “Later, he met someone from that unit who told him, ‘You saved my life.’ That moment gave him an incredible sense of meaning.”
Pinchas Lahuobum, evacuated from Sderot, described how helping elderly members of the Bnei Menashe community gave him a deep sense of purpose. Many older evacuees struggled with hotel food and bureaucratic processes. “When he realized he could help them, he found a powerful sense of identity and responsibility.”
Daria Lipi, a Nova festival survivor, works as a surfing instructor and has helped PTSD survivors—including fellow Nova survivors—through surf therapy. Even before official state support programs began, “she was already providing treatment through surfing, and helping others gave her strength.”
“Helping Others Made Them Feel Fully Israeli”
For many of these immigrants, contributing to Israel’s war effort made them feel at home. Ashtia-Avital Kassaia and her family mobilized to support IDF soldiers, delivering socks, baked goods, and hygiene products to bases. “Helping soldiers gave her a profound sense of belonging. When everyone comes together in times of crisis, it erases any distinction between veteran Israelis and new immigrants.”
One of the panel’s key questions was: When did you feel truly Israeli? Ben Ari noted that integration into Israeli society happens in small moments outside therapy sessions—when interacting with Israelis in everyday settings. “But the biggest factor is contributing to others. The greatest gift a person can receive is the opportunity to give.”
Immigrants in War: The Numbers
Since the Iron Swords War began, approximately 34,000 Jews have immigrated to Israel. 40 immigrant soldiers have fallen in battle in Gaza and Lebanon, over 400 immigrants have been wounded in combat and two immigrant soldiers have been taken hostage. 18 immigrant civilians were killed, and five were kidnapped.
