More than 82,000 Israelis left Israel in 2024 amid Tel Aviv’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, official figures show, with a significant number of Israelis moving abroad permanently.
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics revealed a spike in Israelis leaving claiming that 82,700 people ditched Israel in 2024, while just 23,800 returned to the country.
The bureau did not specify the reason for the departure of so many Israelis, but some previous Israeli media reports have attributed it to rocket fire from Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and Yemen.
According to the bureau, Israel’s population reached approximately 10,027 million people, including 7.7 million Jews, 2.1 million Arabs, and 216,000 foreigners.
However, Israel’s population growth dropped by 1.1% in 2024, down from 1.6% a year earlier.
Why the exodus?
A noticeable increase in Israelis leaving the country could be due to several factors.
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The ongoing conflict, particularly the war on Gaza, has led to a sense of insecurity among many Israelis.
Reports indicate that the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023 was a significant catalyst for some to flee due to fears for their personal safety and dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of security issues.
This is particularly true for secular and liberal Israelis who feel that the social contract has been broken, leading to considerations of emigration.
Netanyahu’s opponents say the reforms will severely undermine the country’s democracy by weakening the judicial system, the only tool for keeping the government’s use of its powers in check.
Underlying this is strong opposition to the kind of government currently in office – the most right-wing in Israel’s history – and to Mr Netanyahu himself.
Elsewhere, Israel has also witnessed huge protests of citizens demanding an end to the war on Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal to free the remaining Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas.
Some may be abandoning Israel due to economic factors too, such as better job opportunities abroad where individuals seek higher salaries or more stable work environments.
The weakening of the shekel and economic warnings related to political decisions have also played a role.
There’s a sentiment among some that the quality of life in Israel might be deteriorating, with concerns about the country’s future direction, including demographic shifts and the rise of more conservative or religious governance, influencing their decision to seek life elsewhere.
There has also been a noted increase in those seeking foreign passports as a form of insurance for future uncertainties.
