Skip to main content

Israel needs long-term plans to absorb Ukrainian immigration wave

Israel’s government has made short-term housing plans for the thousands of Ukrainian and Russian Jews expected to immigrate to Israel, but absorption will be a long and difficult road.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Can Israel absorb tens of thousands of new immigrants from Ukraine and Russia in a very short time?

The war between Russia and Ukraine is intensifying, and millions of people are becoming refugees. Israel’s Law of Return grants automatic citizenship to Jews, their children and their grandchildren if they request it. It is now thought that at least 50,000 Ukrainians and Russians will want to exercise this right.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.