France in shock from the numbers: thousands of Jews choose to move to Israel

Against the backdrop of political tensions and growing fear among French Jews, about 2,000 people attended an aliyah fair in Paris. Since the start of 2026, some 3,950 Jews from France have made aliyah to Israel, and Israeli companies have begun recruiting employees ahead of their immigration. Minister Ofir Sofer said that quality employment is the key to a successful aliyah.

About 2,000 people attended an aliyah fair in Paris, against the backdrop of growing political tensions in France and rising fear among French Jews. Since the start of 2026, some 3,950 Jews from France have made aliyah to Israel — a figure about 16% higher than all of 2025's immigrants (about 3,400) — and this before the current year has even ended. The fair's most notable innovation was the inclusion of representatives of leading companies and bodies in the Israeli economy, among them Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Mekorot, Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot and the National AI Directorate, in order to let aliyah candidates be exposed to the Israeli labour market and begin screening and recruitment procedures while still in France. Company representatives held meetings with about 200 candidates, of whom more than 50 were found to have high initial suitability. Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer said that quality employment is the key to a successful aliyah, and that Israel is preparing to absorb thousands more. The delegation is expected to continue to further fairs in Marseille and Lyon.