Not just relocation: Israelis are flocking to foreign passports for another worrying reason - "Emergency scenario"
A survey by the "Shiluv" Institute among 502 Jewish respondents reveals that the most common reason for Israelis obtaining a foreign passport is "insurance against catastrophe," chosen by a quarter of respondents. Other reasons include economic opportunities (20.7%), security situation (18.9%), concern for children's future (15.9%), and cost of living (14.9%). The survey shows gaps between age groups: young people worry about the economy, older people fear catastrophe.
A survey by the "Shiluv" Institute among 502 Jewish respondents, aged 18 and over, examined the reasons for Israelis obtaining a foreign passport. The most common answer, chosen by a quarter of respondents, is "insurance against catastrophe." Additional reasons: economic opportunities (20.7%), security situation (18.9%), concern for children's future (15.9%), and cost of living (14.9%). Division within the people lagged far behind with only 3%. The data comes against the backdrop of years of security, economic, and social upheavals in Israel: the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis, public protests, the October 7 attack, the war in Gaza, and regional conflicts. There are gaps between age groups: among 18-29 year olds, 27.6% cited economic opportunities as the main reason, and 21.1% chose insurance against catastrophe. Among 30-49 year olds, there is near equality between the various reasons. Among those aged 50 and over, more than a third (35.6%) chose insurance against catastrophe as the main reason. Attorney Yehoshua Pax, quoted in the article, explained that for young people, foreign citizenship is seen as a key to doors, while older people see it as a future asset. According to him, what was once perceived as a sign of distancing from the country is gradually becoming an asset in family and economic planning.