French Jews are leaving for Israel in growing numbers, saying they do not want to be caught in the politics between militant Islam and an increasingly influential far right. This year, close to 5,000 Jews plan on leaving France, the most ever since the Six-Day War in 1967.
France has the third largest population of Jews in the world after Israel and America of course, with approximately 500,000 Jews currently staying in the country according to rough estimates. Since World War II, France has doubled its efforts in making Jews feel welcome but many Jews have to say that radical acts of anti-Semitism along with France’s stagnant economy makes life tougher in the country.
Anticipating the influx, Israel has stepped up its efforts by dedicating $29 million over a span of two years to draw more European immigrants and another $8 million to help them resettle.
According to Ariel Kandel, who is in charge of the Jewish Agency for Israel in Paris, Israel welcomes as many as 1,000 youths from France to visit annually and close to 70 percent of the visitors want to return. The agency works closely with the Israeli government to help strengthen the bond that Jews in France share with Israel so they can shift to their homeland for good.
Even though the economy in France is stagnant, the country is considered one of the safest places to stay with very high standards of living.
“Never would anyone have thought there would come a time when Israel would be more attractive than France,” said Kandel.
Yet, the number of people applying for French citizenship has decreased by 45 percent since 2010, and most religious people in France report feeling a deep sense of pessimism. Jews report witnessing a rise in militant Islam as well as a revitalized far right.
“They are finding themselves between the extreme right of Europe and the radical Islam of Europe,” said Kandel.
Despite Israel’s ongoing precarious security situation, nearly 2,000 Jews have migrated from France to Israel each year since the 1990s. Recently, this number has been increasing, a shift the French government is aware of.
Romain Nadal, spokesperson for the country’s Foreign Ministry said, “Emigration is an individual choice and it's not our place to comment.”
