The Central Bureau of Statistics along with a channel 12 report has published figures showing the effect of the war on Israeli emigration with a larger number of Israelis leaving the country once the war with Hamas broke out. This draws comparison to other reports whereby immigration to Israel from abroad is on the rise due to the sharp increase in Antisemitism around the world following October 7th.
In October 2023, at the onset of the conflict, 12,350 Israelis departed and remained abroad until June, marking a significant 285% increase from October 2022. Subsequently, during the months of the war, there was a decline in the number of Israelis leaving compared to the previous year.
Between November 2023 and March 2024, 30,000 Israelis left Israel and did not return until June, a figure lower than the 35,000 who did so in the corresponding months of the previous year, reflecting a 14% decrease.
Another notable finding from the CBS data reveals a 51% increase in departures during July, August, and September 2023, amidst public debate over legal reforms. Approximately 22,000 Israelis left during these months, up from 14,000 in the same period the previous year.
It is important to note that CBS data provides insight into these trends, though precise numbers on emigration are challenging to ascertain. The methodology compares Israelis who maintained their life centre in Israel and left during specific periods, emphasizing trends rather than exact figures. It remains uncertain if the current decline in departures will persist, as decisions to emigrate often evolve over time, and the full impact of the conflict on emigration from Israel may still unfold.
Furthermore, there was a noticeable decrease in Israelis returning to Israel during the war. From October 2023 to March 2024, 8,898 Israelis returned compared to 11,231 in the previous year, indicating a 21% decline in returnees.
The discourse surrounding emigration within Israel also saw significant changes. Following the legal reforms, particularly in February 2023 amid protests, discussions about leaving the country surged, reaching a peak with over 63,000 mentions—a substantial increase compared to any other period in the past two years.
Despite a 31% decrease in emigration discourse during the nine months of the war compared to the nine months of legal reforms, excluding the peak month of February 2023, monthly discussions about emigration during the war remained higher than those during the legal reforms and double those prior to its announcement. It's important to clarify that this analysis includes all forms of discourse related to "emigration," encompassing critical viewpoints as well.