It's no surprise so many British Jews are leaving for Israel | The Spectator


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Key Factors Driving Emigration

The article highlights a significant increase in British Jews emigrating to Israel, nearly doubling in the past year. This surge is largely attributed to rising antisemitism in the UK, impacting even those deeply loyal to Britain.

Demographic Shift

While previously, emigration was predominantly among older individuals, the recent wave involves younger families, professionals, and academics who are openly observant Jews. This shift suggests a broader concern within the community about their safety and future in the UK.

Israel as a Haven

The article implies that Israel offers a sense of security and belonging that is increasingly difficult to find in the UK given the current climate of antisemitism. While the article doesn't explicitly state this, the implication is that Israel's appeal is strengthened by rising antisemitism in the UK.

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Some things may come as no surprise in theory but cause the heart to sink when they emerge as reality. The surging number of British Jews emigrating to Israel โ€“ which doubled last year โ€“ is one such example.

With antisemitism at record levels, this exodus is hardly unexpected. The British Jewish community is longstanding and patriotic โ€“ the office of the Chief Rabbi was established in 1704 โ€“ and has always worn its warmth for Israel alongside a deep loyalty to King and country. This is not about to change. But relentless hostility takes a toll.

There is one particularly significant secret sauce that Israel offers

Before October 7, many British Jewish emigrants to Israel were 55 or older, with adult children and grandchildren and looking to enjoy their retirement overseas. The current surge, however, has mainly been among young families, professionals and academics, people who are observant enough to be, in the words of the Metropolitan Police, โ€œopenly Jewishโ€.

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