Is Israel on the Verge of a Demographic Crisis? The Struggle to Attract Immigrants to the Occupied Territories

By: E. Mahdavi

In its ongoing quest to establish legitimacy and solidify its sovereignty over occupied Palestine, the Zionist regime has encountered a significant challenge in attracting immigrants and Jews from around the world. Over the past seventy years, the Israeli regime has actively sought to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territories by increasing the population of Israelis living there.Attracting new immigrants has long been a key objective for the planners and decision-makers of the Zionist regime. Major General Doron Almog, head of the Jewish Agency, underscores the importance of this endeavor, stating, "New immigrants strengthen Israel and are a vital pillar in its construction and strength."

However, recent reports from Hebrew media indicate a notable decline in migration to the occupied territories, posing a pressing issue for the Israelis. According to data from the Israeli Ministry of Immigration, immigration statistics from most Western countries decreased by 30% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Oded Forer, a representative of the Israeli Knesset and head of the immigration committee, acknowledges the non-standard challenge facing Israel.

The Israeli website Haaretz reports a sharp decrease in the number of immigrants from Western countries since the beginning of 2023. The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to an 87% drop in the number of Ukrainians moving to Israel, while immigration from America and France has also decreased. Ynet website reports a 60% decrease in the number of immigrants from France, with only 700 immigrants from France to Israel in the first half of the year. In response, the Ministry of Immigration has implemented measures to encourage those previously interested in immigrating to Israel.The issue is of such significance that the Zionist Ministry of Immigration has dispatched emissaries from the Jewish Agency to the homes of potential immigrants, aiming to persuade them to initiate the process of emigrating to the occupied territories.

The decline in immigration to the occupied territories can be attributed, in part, to the economic challenges faced by the Zionist regime, which dissuade potential immigrants. Factors such as a deteriorating economic situation, widespread labor strikes, repeated bank interest rate hikes within a year, and a significant increase in capital flight contribute to this trend. Critics of Netanyahu's government argue that these issues could worsen.A few months ago, the former finance minister of Israel took to Twitter, stating, "Israel is on the brink of an economic crisis that it has never seen before." He emphasized that the Israeli cabinet is attempting to conceal this issue from the public. "Netanyahu and his cabinet members are aware of the truth, but neither side is willing to acknowledge their lies, which indicates that Israel is on the verge of an unprecedented economic crisis." As a result, potential immigrants do not perceive a promising economic future in the occupied territories.

Another factor influencing the decreased immigration rates is the deteriorating political situation in the occupied territories. Since the establishment of Netanyahu's right-wing government and the actions of his cabinet, the occupied territories have faced numerous political challenges that have adversely affected the regime's economy. Israeli economic experts believe that brain drain, a reduction in Israel's credit rating, and the flight of foreign investments will be the initial consequences of the cabinet's actions, as reported by Israeli news outlet Walla.The issue of judicial reform and its ramifications have created significant problems and conflicts for the Israelis, not only in social and political spheres but also in economic and military matters. The presence of an extreme right-wing government, which is believed to be the cause of these problems, is undeniably one of the key reasons for the decline in immigration to the occupied territories and even instances of reverse immigration from occupied Palestine.