The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has been helping Jewish people return to the Land of Israel since our founding in 1980, and that support has never stopped even in times of war, crisis and global pandemics. Over these decades, the ICEJ has now assisted more than 190,000 Jews in making the journey home to Israel, while helping thousands more with getting settled into Israeli society. And this year is no exception, as even Israel’s recent war with Iran has not slowed the arrival of new Jewish immigrants.
This year, despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and with Iran, tens of thousands of Jewish olim (newcomers) have made their journey home. Among these are many French Jews who are moving to Israel on regular flights in their hundreds, often to escape rising antisemitism in France.
During a recent briefing to the Knesset’s Committee for Immigration and Absorption, Jewish Agency chairman Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog stated: “We have reached about four million immigrants since the inception of the state [of Israel in 1948], and 45,000 have made Aliyah since the start of the war, even in the midst of the past few days, during ‘Operation Rising Lion’. We have seen a surge in the opening of Aliyah files at this time – 92% in France, 45% in England, 34% in Canada, and 22% in the United States.”
In 2024, the ICEJ assisted 3,653 Jewish newcomers, including 1,001 of them sponsored on flights. So far this year, the ICEJ has supported 1,572 Jewish immigrants coming from France, Russian-speaking countries, and Ethiopia. This includes sponsoring 514 flights. Among these olim were 348 French Jews, bringing the total to 848 French Jews we have assisted with Aliyah since the current war began on 7 October 2023.
The ICEJ’s first sponsored flight from France was back in July 2010. France is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe, but it has become increasingly difficult for Jews to live there safely, with reports of increased antisemitic incidents, harassment and vandalism of property.
As soon as Ben Gurion Airport reopened after the 12-day Israel-Iran war, a rescue flight from Paris arrived on 25 June with 110 Jewish immigrants. Most of these newcomers came from France, but others arrived from the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia. The Christian Embassy sponsored flights for 40 of these new arrivals.
On Thursday this week, several ICEJ staff joined others on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport to welcome 105 new immigrants arriving on the latest Aliyah flight from Paris. There was an air of excitement, with joyful music playing Israeli folk songs and many Israeli flags flying high as the plane landed and taxied to a stop just in front of our welcoming party.
We eagerly awaited the plane door opening to greet these French Jews taking their first steps in the Land where they belong – Israel.
Another 40 French Jewish immigrants are expected to arrive in Israel on an ICEJ-sponsored flight at the end of July, and more flights are anticipated soon.
“We are definitely expecting more flights to arrive. Aliyah truly never really stops,” confirmed Danielle Mor, Director of Christian Friends of The Jewish Agency for Israel. “Even with the missiles coming in from Iran, over 500 missiles… we have already had more than 500 olim… and we have further flights planned also supported by the ICEJ.”
The ICEJ is passionate about seeing God’s prophetic call fulfilled for the return of the Jewish people, so we are taking an active role in helping to bring thousands of Jews home to Israel every year. You, too, can partner with us in this incredible mission of supporting Jewish return to their biblical homeland. Help us provide plane seats for more Jews wanting to reach Israel from all over the world.
