Search Results

The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants in the Prime Minister’s Office publishes the activity summary report for 2023-2024 – featuring prominent achievements in the government program for the integration of Ethiopian immigrants, leading to the reduction of social and economic gaps and strengthening Community Resilience

The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants in the Administration for Government and Society at the Prime Minister’s Office today publishes the activity summary report of the government program for the integration of Ethiopian immigrants for the years 2023–2024. The report summarizes the activities of the inter-ministerial government program, operating under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office and in cooperation with government ministries and local authorities, and presents a comprehensive overview of the program’s implementation, the scope of activities, and progress towards goals in the fields of Education, employment, welfare, Health, and social engagement. 

The report presents key achievements recorded in recent years, such as: in the field of Education – where we are witnessing equality in the rate of eligibility for a matriculation certificate among the community’s youth compared to the national average, and in the field of employment – it is found that more than half of the participants in dedicated programs have successfully integrated into the labor market, and their average salary has increased by approximately 47%. This is alongside challenges that still require a response and continued action, such as increasing high-productivity employment and more significant integration into higher education. These and others – served as the basis for extending and deepening the program and updating the policy within the framework of the government decision made last July (No. 3243) for the years 2025–2026. Continued attention to the integration of Ethiopian immigrants is important to the Prime Minister’s Office management and is on its agenda for promoting and realizing this government decision.

The publication of the report expresses a commitment to public transparency, systematic reporting on policy implementation, and strengthening trust with the general public in particular and with the ethiopian immigrant community in particular. The report provides the public with reliable, data-based, and updated information on the government’s activities in this area, reflects decision-making processes and directions of action, and serves as a basis for continued dialogue, learning, and cooperation with the community, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants will continue to work towards promoting optimal, equitable, and sustainable integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society, while strengthening mechanisms for measurement, control, and public reporting.

Deputy Director General for Government and Society, Liron Henetz:
“The government’s commitment to the optimal integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society is reflected in a continuous effort over the years, which requires a joint effort between government bodies, local authorities, civil society, and community members. This is a partnership that bears fruit. We see great importance in persevering in the effort until full and equitable integration of Ethiopian immigrants in all areas of life is achieved.”

The full report is attached:

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/ethiopia080126/he/file_ethiopia080126.pdf

The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants in the Government and Society Administration at the Prime Minister’s Office is publishing today the activity summary report of the Government Program for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants for the years 2023–2024. The publication of the report expresses a commitment to public transparency, systematic reporting on policy implementation, and strengthening trust with the general public in particular, and with the Ethiopian immigrant community specifically.
The report summarizes the activity of the inter-ministerial government program, operating under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office and in cooperation with government ministries and local authorities, and presents a comprehensive overview of the program’s implementation, the scope of activity, and the progress of objectives in the areas of Education, employment, welfare, Health, and social engagement.
Within the framework of the report, key achievements recorded in recent years are presented, alongside challenges that still require a response and continued action, which served as a basis for extending and deepening the program and for updating the policy within the framework of the continuing Government Decision No. 3243 for the years 2025–2026.
The publication of the report is intended to make reliable, data-based, and updated information accessible to the public regarding the government’s activity in this area, to reflect decision-making processes and directions of action, and to serve as a basis for continued dialogue, learning, and cooperation with the community, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants will continue to operate to promote optimal, equitable, and sustainable integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society, while strengthening mechanisms for measurement, oversight, and public reporting.

To read the full report – click the link

By Pesach Benson • January 1, 2026

Jerusalem, 1 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Sachs family from Sydney, Australia –- father Trevor, mother Dalit, and daughter Ashira –- became Israel’s first immigrants in 2026 after arriving at ben gurion Airport on Thursday as trends point to rising Jewish immigration from Western countries.

On landing, the three were greeted by Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer, received Israeli ID cards, and officially began their new life in the country. The family’s son, Levi Sachs, had already immigrated ahead of them and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces.

“The Sachs family’s choice to immigrate to Israel, especially when their son is serving in the IDF, is gratifying and encouraging. We are working for the aliyah [immigration] of Australian Jews to Israel and have already taken and will continue to take significant steps to that end,” Sofer said.

The arrival of the Sachs family adds to the nearly 22,000 immigrants who moved to Israel in 2025.

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), approximately 21,900 people moved to Israel last year, representing only about one-third of the previous year’s total.

Signaling a shift in the global pattern of Jewish migration, Russian and Ukrainian immigration fell by half, while arrivals from the United States, United Kingdom, and France increased. Overall, North American aliyah rose by 13 percent, and French immigration jumped 45 percent, the CBS reported.

The change is generally attributed to rising Western antisemitism.

“The changing composition of new immigrants shows how Israel continues to attract Jews from around the world,” a ministry spokesperson said.

As of December 31, 2025, Israel’s population stood at 10,178,000.

Jerusalem, 31 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Committee said Wednesday that up to 1,200 members of the Bnei Menashe community from northeastern India are expected to immigrate to Israel in 2026, as part of a multi-year government plan. About 5,000 community members are still awaiting approval in India.

Roughly 600 immigrants are expected to arrive by March 2026, with another group later in the year, pending approval by Israel’s chief rabbi and immigration authorities.

The NIS 90 million ($28.1 million) plan includes absorption and conversion in northern communities. Committee chairman MK Gilad Kariv welcomed the move but criticized delays in bringing Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

Jerusalem, 14 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — WiseStamp, an Israeli tech company, has launched a mentorship program helping women who recently immigrated to Israel build careers in the country’s growing technology sector. The first cohort includes new arrivals from the U.S., Europe, South America, Russia, and Australia. Participants take part in sessions on Israeli business culture, job interviews, and workplace rights, and are paired with mentors from WiseStamp’s leadership who provide ongoing guidance.

“We launched Chotemet to help new immigrants contribute to Israel’s tech industry,” said CEO Ehud Yalin-Mor. CFO Atar Lev-Ari Shalom added that rising global antisemitism has increased immigration, highlighting the importance of supporting newcomers. Applications for the next cohort, beginning February 2026, are now open.

Jerusalem, 18 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Religious Services is preparing for the holiday of Sigd, the holiday of longing for Jerusalem for the Ethiopian Jewish community, which will be celebrated this coming Thursday. As part of the preparations, the ministry is launching a special brochure for the first time that explains the day’s subject, its meaning, and its relevance even today.

The special booklet was written by the best rabbis and spiritual leaders working in the religious councils. The authors are headed by Rabbi Reuven Wabshet, Chief Rabbi of Ethiopian Jews and Director of the Department of Religious Services for the Ethiopian Community in the Ministry of Religious Services , and alongside him are other prominent rabbis.

Sigid, which is recognized as an official holiday in the State of Israel by virtue of a law from 2008, is part of the national calendar. The holiday will be celebrated at two central locations: at the central state assembly at the Commissioner’s Palace in jerusalem, and then with prayers and a gathering at the Western Wall Plaza.

During the week of the holiday, various events will be held in communities across the country, according to each community’s unique style. Other state bodies, such as educational institutions and the Israel Police, are also working to mark the holiday.

Jerusalem, 16 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — At the end of 2024, the population of people of Ethiopian origin in Israel numbered 177,600, of whom, 93,400 were born in Ethiopia and 84,200 were born in Israel. In 2024, 285 people arrived in Israel from Ethiopia.

This is according to the data released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of the Ethiopian holiday Sigd, to be celebrated this week.

64.6% of Ethiopians live in two main districts: the Central District (37.2%) and the Southern District (27.4%).

At the end of 2024, the urban settlement with the highest number of residents of Ethiopian origin was Netanya (13,300), while the urban settlement with the highest percentage of residents of Ethiopian origin of the total population of the settlement was Kiryat Malachi (13.8%).

Live Births – In 2024, 4,010 babies were born to women of Ethiopian descent. In that year, the average number of children a woman of Ethiopian descent is expected to have in her lifetime was 2.54.

In the 2023/24 school year, 34,300 students of Ethiopian origin studied in elementary and secondary education, which is approximately 2.2% of all students in Hebrew education.

The rate of taking the matriculation exams among 12th grade students of Ethiopian descent that year was 93.7%, compared to 95.1% among all Hebrew education. The rate of eligibility for a matriculation certificate that meets the university’s threshold requirements among 12th grade students of Ethiopian descent has been on the rise in recent years.

The percentage of those continuing on to undergraduate studies at academic colleges among Ethiopian immigrants was significantly higher than the percentage among all students in Hebrew education (57.7% compared to 39.1%, respectively).

In 2024/25, 4,151 students of Ethiopian descent studied for an academic degree (including 534 students who studied for a bachelor’s degree at the Open University).

Jerusalem, 6 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — An israeli court on Thursday revoked the Citizenship of an Ethiopian immigrant who concealed his murder conviction to immigrate under the Law of Return. The Beer-Sheva Administrative Court found that the man, who claimed to be divorced, had actually been convicted of murdering his wife in 2009 and released early from a 20-year sentence.

The man immigrated in 2021 as the grandson of a Jew under Israel’s Law of Return. This law grants Jews, their children, grandchildren, and spouses the right to immigrate to Israel and obtain Citizenship.

After authorities uncovered his criminal past, the Interior Ministry moved to cancel his Citizenship. Judge Yoel Eden upheld the decision, ruling that rights obtained through deception can be annulled to protect state integrity.

Jerusalem, 27 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Minister of Finance’ decided to grant immigrants to Israel significant tax exemptions during the first years after their immigration to Israel.

“This decision is a significant step in continuing the ongoing activities of the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption and the Israeli government, which sees immigration to Israel as an engine of growth for the economy, especially during this period,” said the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption.

“The Minister of Finance’s decision brings with it tremendous opportunities for the State of Israel and will put Israel on a par with leading countries that have been competing for years to attract investments, talent, businesses, and a vital workforce,” it added.

The tax benefits are expected to attract many immigrants to Israel with various skills in the immediate future, and to assist them in building their new home in the country, with an emphasis on encouraging the immigration of entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who will develop the Israeli economy, as well as with an emphasis on attracting talent needed for strategic fields for Israel.