Jews Massively Moving from France to Israel

The immigration of Jews from France to Israel reached a record level this year, Israeli authorities announced on Thursday, explaining it as a consequence of physical and economic insecurity, reports the Patria News Agency.

Almost 8,000 French Jews are expected to arrive in Israel this year, said a spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Immigration, calling it an "unprecedented record." Final data is not yet available. Between 500,000 and 600,000 Jews live in France, making it the largest community in Europe and the third largest in the world after Israel and the USA.

Following the terrorist attack on a kosher grocery store in Paris in January, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Jews in France and Europe to emigrate to Israel.

The immigration of French Jews increased by 10 percent this year compared to 2014. The agency expects this trend to continue. Agency spokesperson Avi Mayer said that the reasons for this are the strengthening of feelings of physical insecurity and economic uncertainty.

This year, 30,000 Jews immigrated to Israel, the highest number in the last 15 years. Besides France, 7,300 came from Ukraine, 7,100 from Russia, and 3,500 from North America. More than three million Jews have immigrated to Israel since its founding in 1948.