Immigration to Israel Drops as More Russian Jews Prefer Germany
Published:
8 February 2005 y., Tuesday
The Haaretz newspaper reported on Monday that 22,134 Jews moved to Israel in 2004 — down from 24,434 the previous year. The paper cited the Jewish Agency’s Sunday report as its information source.
An 18 percent drop in immigration from the former Soviet Union fueled the decline, the agency said. It cited the dwindling reservoir of Jews living in the region, but also noted that a large number of Russian Jews are choosing to move to Germany instead of Israel.
Michael Jankelowitz, a Jewish Agency spokesman, said just over 10,000 Jews from the Soviet Union moved to Israel last year. In comparison, 12,000 moved to Germany, where he said they are granted refugee status and receive generous welfare benefits.
Israel has pressed Germany to cancel its absorption benefits to help encourage the remaining 800,000 Jews in former Soviet lands to move to Israel, he said.
Since the collapse of Communism 15 years ago, more than 1 million Jews from the former Soviet Union have immigrated to Israel.
Šaltinis:
mosnews.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Civil unrest in Kyrgyzstan last week left over 70 people dead, more than 1500 injured and over 500 hospitalized.
more »
After lots were drawn, ten winners of Danske Bankas scholarships and one winner of an iPod shuffle player were established.
more »
The health of Chinese civil rights activist Hu Jia is causing real fears after reports that the winner of the Parliament's 2008 Sakharov human rights prize is ailing with liver disease.
more »
Nestled in the northeast plains of India, Bihar is one of the poorest states in the country. Its per capita income is just a fraction of that in other Indian states.
more »
One day after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rattled the Mexico-California border area, Mexico‘s President visits one of the affected areas.
more »
Roma communities, the European Union’s largest ethnic minority, continue to face persistent discrimination and segregation.
more »
This the sound of spring for many in Latvia. With a little guidance from their parents, children at the Riga Zoo made bird boxes in anticipation of the returning migrating birds.
more »
Economic shocks are taking a toll on a population already facing high risks in low-income countries: children.
more »
As celebrations for Easter week get under way millions of the faithful will be heading to Churches across Europe to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
more »
More than 200, 000 riders and their horses are in Uruguay’s capital for South America’s largest rodeo.
more »