Jewish Agency Head Isaac Herzog predicts massive Aliyah in next 3-5 years
"Israel is emerging as a place that sets the example, and in a global platform, we are dealing with the challenges of current communities in education, security, and leadership.”
By ALAN ROSENBAUMIsaac Herzog, chairman of the Jewish Agency(photo credit: JERUSALEM POST)
Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, speaking at The Jerusalem Post’s virtual conference, “COVID-19 and the Jews: Challenges and Opportunities,” predicted that Israel will absorb 250,000 new immigrants within the next 3-5 years.HERZOGHerzog, who was interviewed by Herb Keinon, senior contributing editor at the Post, suggested that the increase will come because many view Israel’s management of the Corona crisis favorably, are impressed with its superior healthcare system, are concerned about the rise in antisemitism and view Israel as a fulfillment of Jewish life. He added that planning for this vast amount of new immigrants will require extensive budgeting and planning on the part of the government.He discussed the catastrophic effect that the coronavirus pandemic has had upon Jewish communities around the world, and the Jewish Agency’s interest-free loan program that was established to help more than 70 communities in need, which distributed close to $10 million.“Clearly, this is a change of paradigm,” said Herzog, “that reflects reality – the emergence of Israel as the true center of Jewish life. Israel is emerging as a place that sets the example, and in a global platform, we are dealing with the challenges of current communities in education, security, and leadership.”The Jewish Agency, he added, has gone through different roles and responsibilities during its 90 years of existence, beginning with its role in bringing about statehood, bringing four million immigrants to Israel, and focusing on connecting Jews to one another and to the State of Israel.
