Today, the 7th of Cheshvan on the Hebrew calendar, Israel marks one of the most symbolic dates — Aliyah Day. This special day was established by the Knesset in 2016 to recognize the value of immigration as the foundation of the State of Israel’s existence.

Aliyah Day is symbolically linked to the weekly Torah portion “Lech Lecha,” which recounts the very first “aliyah” — Patriarch Abraham’s journey to the Land of Israel at the Almighty’s command. Millennia later, the path to Israel remains a challenging choice requiring tremendous resolve. Aliyah Day reminds us of the dedication of all those who choose to build their lives in the historic homeland of the Jewish people.

Over the 76 years of Israel’s existence, millions of Jews from every corner of the world have made aliyah. Each wave of immigration — from the early pioneers to today’s immigrants — has made an invaluable contribution to building and developing the country. It is thanks to these immigrants that Israel has become what we know today.

EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov commented:

“The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) consistently champions the support of immigration processes and the integration of new Israeli citizens. Through its resolutions and statements, the organization has repeatedly emphasized that aliyah is not merely every Jew’s right, but a vital factor in strengthening the Jewish state. The EAJC actively works to create favorable conditions for the comfortable immigration of Jews from Eurasian countries, fostering the preservation of ties between the diaspora and Israel.

The Law of Return, enacted by the Knesset in 1950, remains one of the cornerstones of Israeli statehood. This law guarantees every Jew’s right to immigrate and obtain Israeli citizenship, embodying the very essence of the Jewish state as a home for the entire people, regardless of where they reside. It bears noting that at one of our conferences in 2022, former Chief Justice of Israel’s Supreme Court Professor Aharon Barak underscored the fundamental importance of the Law of Return to the Jewish state, emphasizing that given its symbolic significance, this law should be regarded alongside Israel’s Basic Laws, even though it was enacted as ordinary legislation.

This year, Aliyah Day occurs against the backdrop of a devastating two-year war whose outcome remains uncertain, lending particular significance to this occasion. Thousands of new immigrants continue arriving in Israel despite all challenges. However, we must track these trends and work to ensure that the decision to center one’s life in Israel becomes ever more accessible and appealing.”