Survey: Over 80% of individuals who immigrated to Israel after February 24 intend to remain in the country permanently

Photo: BriYYZ/flickr.com

The vast majority of new immigrants from Russia and Ukraine who arrived in Israel after February 24 intend to remain in the country, according to a sociological survey conducted by the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The study was presented by the ministry's Chief Scientist, Professor Ze'ev Khanin, during the “Repatriation 2022” forum, which took place on July 13 under the auspices of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. During the event, scholars, public figures, and representatives of religious communities discussed the current challenges of repatriation in light of the large wave of immigration from the former USSR.

According to Prof. Khanin's data, 80.5% of respondents among immigrants from Russia and Ukraine who arrived in 2022 expressed a clear intention to remain in Israel. However, the data varies by country: 83% from Russia (of whom 47.3% are “completely sure” and 35.7% “think so”) and 78.5% from Ukraine (41.5% “completely sure” and 37% “think so”). At the same time, 17% of immigrants from Russia and 21.5% from Ukraine do not intend to stay or have not yet made a final decision.

Furthermore, approximately 67% from Russia and 60% from Ukraine – just a few weeks or months after their arrival – already identify Israel as their home country, based on their personal feelings.

The level of satisfaction with initial steps in Israel among new immigrants of the latest wave from the former USSR remains high, with an average score of 70%. Among them, 74% are “highly satisfied” with state support in the form of financial payments (6% dissatisfied), and an equal share (74%) are satisfied with their initial housing conditions (9% dissatisfied) and the placement of their children in educational institutions of various levels (12% dissatisfied). A slightly lower percentage of respondents (70%) were satisfied with the processes of opening a bank account and transferring funds (13% dissatisfied), as well as with information provided regarding the local labor market (68% satisfied, 14% dissatisfied) and the accessibility of services at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (67% satisfied, 13% dissatisfied).

According to the survey, the priority goals most frequently cited by immigrants include finding permanent housing (66%), securing suitable employment (63%), and learning Hebrew (73.7%). These are followed by incorporating children into the educational system (57%), understanding Israeli society (54%), validating academic degrees and obtaining professional licenses (42%), enrolling in professional development or vocational retraining courses (34%), and continuing an existing or establishing a new business (22%).

Meanwhile, sociologists note that due to the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the travel routes of immigrants from different countries differ significantly. For instance, 64% of those from Russia reported arriving in Israel via the standard procedure, whereas among immigrants from Ukraine, this share is only 14%. The opposite is observed regarding the expedited repatriation process via the “green route” – starting the process abroad and completing it in Israel: 74% of Ukrainian immigrants and only 1% of Russian immigrants underwent repatriation this way.

The majority of immigrants from Russia and Ukraine received assistance with their repatriation from state or state-affiliated entities. According to the survey, two-thirds of immigrants from Ukraine were assisted in relocating to the Jewish state by publicly funded bodies – embassies, consulates, Nativ, and the Jewish Agency for Israel (66.6%). For those from Russia, this figure was half as high (34.8%). A third of Ukrainian immigrants (32.5%) and only 4.5% of Russian immigrants reported receiving help from Jewish religious and other community organizations. Other organizations and local volunteers helped 8.4% of Ukrainian Jews and 4.5% of Russian Jews to repatriate. Relatives, friends, and acquaintances in the country of origin, Israel, and elsewhere assisted in 3.9% of cases for Ukrainian immigrants and 4.5% for Russian immigrants.

“Despite the major contribution made by volunteers, public organizations, and other informal support groups that helped people reach Israel from the conflict zone, we nevertheless see that state bodies and established organizations continue to play the central role in this process,” noted Professor Ze'ev Khanin, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.

In total, according to data from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, 28,210 Jews from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus moved to Israel by early June 2022. This is more than double the figure for the previous year (12,989). The distribution by country of origin for the current wave of repatriation is as follows: 11,504 individuals from Ukraine, 15,288 from Russia, 799 from Belarus, and 619 from other countries of the former USSR.

The sociological study was based on a database from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (comprising approximately 20,000 individuals). The sample size was 1,090 respondents, with a margin of error between 1.5% and 2.5%.

“Despite the registered high level of satisfaction with state services, we must not ignore criticism regarding the processes of repatriation and absorption. It is precisely to obtain a balanced picture of the core challenges faced by immigrants that the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress invited representatives of public organizations, private initiatives, and individuals working directly with new immigrants to this special forum. Social media often amplifies negative cases, creating a subjective impression of pervasive dissatisfaction. However, these issues cannot be ignored, as the quality of absorption itself may determine whether a fifth of the immigrants decide to remain in the Jewish state. It is within our collective power to make this process more comfortable and responsive to modern demands,” commented Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, EAJC Director General.