Across many continents and cultures, Jewish communities are finding their way home to Israel even amid the nation’s many challenges and hardships. From the broad, bustling avenues of Paris to the highlands of Ethiopia, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) continues to play a key role in facilitating Aliyah – the return of Jews to their ancestral homeland.
This week alone, the ICEJ sponsored flights for 60 Jews to come home to Israel from France and 9 more from Ethiopia, reflecting our ongoing commitment to this prophetic movement. As their paths converge in Israel this summer, they offer a powerful reminder: the Land of Israel remains the true and enduring home for Jews from all around the world.
A Milestone in French Aliyah
This July marked a significant moment in French Aliyah, as the Christian Embassy hit the 15th anniversary of our very first French flight in July 2010. That inaugural journey was inspired by a sharp rise in antisemitism following Operation Cast Lead in 2009. Since then, ICEJ has supported thousands of Jewish immigrants, particularly in times of crisis.
As of July 2025, ICEJ has helped 1,572 Jews make Aliyah so far this year from France, Russian-speaking countries, and Ethiopia – 514 of them through direct flight sponsorships. Among them are 348 French Jews, bringing the total to 848 French olim aided since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. In total, more than 70,000 French Jews have made Aliyah since the early 2000s.
Why Are French Jews Leaving?
Once considered a haven for Jewish life, France has seen an alarming rise in antisemitism. The French Jewish community has faced deadly attacks, including the 2012 Toulouse school shooting and the 2015 Hyper Cacher supermarket massacre. More recently, far-left political rhetoric and radical Islamist ideologies have intensified public hostility. In 2022 alone, antisemitic incidents in France surged by 74%. Synagogues now operate under tight security, Jewish students endure daily bullying, and families grow increasingly anxious.
For many, the decision to make Aliyah is about safeguarding their future.
“We didn’t want our children growing up in fear,” says David C., a recent immigrant from Paris. “In Israel, they can be proud of who they are.”
But the move is not solely an escape – it is also a leap toward opportunity. Israel’s robust economy, especially its leadership in technology and innovation, offers a future that blends safety with growth. The Israeli government has actively encouraged French Aliyah, offering financial aid, Hebrew classes (Ulpan), and job placement programs. Cities like Netanya, Ashdod and Jerusalem now have thriving French-speaking communities, providing cultural familiarity and easing integration.
Challenges remain – learning Hebrew, adapting to a faster pace, adjusting to the cost of living – but most agree the reward outweighs the difficulty. As one immigrant expressed: “In France, we were guests. In Israel, we are home.”
The Long Road from Ethiopia
While French Jews are responding to a modern crisis, Ethiopian Jews continue an ancient journey rooted in their biblical hope of return. The Beta Israel community traces its lineage to the union of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Despite centuries of isolation, they preserved Jewish traditions and prayed to return to Jerusalem.
That prayer continues to be answered – albeit amid delays and difficulties. On June 12, just one day before the outbreak of war with Iran, 12 Ethiopian olim arrived in Israel. A second group scheduled for June 17 was delayed by regional conflict. Now, the wait for some is over, as this week a group of 20 Ethiopian olim (newcomers) arrived in Israel, with 9 sponsored by the ICEJ. They came from various regions in Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Tigray. The youngest in the group is two years old, and the oldest is 73.
In 2025, the ICEJ has supported 66 of the 83 Ethiopian immigrants who have come under Israel’s Law of Return. Since 2015, the ICEJ has helped sponsor flights for 3,286 of the 7,948 Ethiopian Jews who have immigrated to Israel.
Yet thousands remain in limbo. Over 1,200 Ethiopian Jews are currently eligible for Aliyah. Many more from the Falash Mura community – descendants of Jews forced to convert to Christianity under duress – continue to wait in overcrowded camps in Ethiopia, often for years, for their chance to also reunite with close relatives already living in the Land of Israel.
Two Paths, One Destiny
Despite the differences in language, culture, and geography, the stories of these French and Ethiopian immigrants converge in a shared destiny: to live as Jews in their ancestral homeland.
Whether escaping antisemitism or fulfilling an age-old prophecy, their journeys speak to the heart of Aliyah. For French Jews, Israel is a fresh start. For Ethiopian Jews, it’s the culmination of a millennia-old dream. For both, it is home.
Over 45,000 Jews have moved to Israel since October 7, 2023. The ICEJ stands at the forefront of this modern-day exodus, offering hope, practical help, and a path forward. From sponsoring flights to funding Hebrew classes and job training, the ICEJ’s mission is clear: to help every Jew who wishes to return, no matter where their journey begins.
“Thanks to the support, the prayers, and the generosity of ICEJ branches and supporters all around the world, we are able to do our global work to reach Jews in over 50 countries around the world and bring our people home,” said Danielle Mor, Director of Christian Friends of The Jewish Agency for Israel.”
