French President Emmanuel Macron's recent political maneuvers have not only reshuffled France's political landscape but may also accelerate Jewish emigration from the country. The prospect of increased aliyah - Jewish immigration to Israel - looms large as French Jews grapple with the implications of Macron's tacit endorsement of far-left parties in the wake of disappointing parliamentary election results.
Ariel Kandel, CEO of an organization facilitating aliyah from France, sees the current political climate as a catalyst for departure. "Whether the far right grows, or the far left, or both, it means life in France is changing for the worse for French Jews," Kandel explains. He predicts a significant uptick in aliyah, citing Jewish Agency projections of around 3,200 French Jews making the move to Israel this year - a threefold increase from 2023.
As reported by the Times of Israel, this potential exodus builds on a trend that has been gathering momentum for a decade. Approximately 50,000 French Jews have already made aliyah in the past ten years, more than double the number from the previous decade. However, Kandel notes that another 50,000 are considering the move but remain hesitant, partly due to France's robust welfare system and high quality of life.
To transform this consideration into action, Kandel suggests that the Israeli government needs to take concrete steps. These include offering to cover a year's rent for new immigrants, streamlining the recognition of academic and professional qualifications, and providing longer school days comparable to those in France. "The steps our government takes to absorb this movement will determine whether it will be a trickle or a flood," Kandel asserts.
As French Jews weigh their options, the outcome of the upcoming second round of parliamentary elections on July 7 could prove decisive – The choice before them: to stay and navigate an increasingly complex political landscape or to seek new beginnings in Israel.