Sa’ar says the ‘time has come’ for Jews around the world to move to Israel

[Almost Heaven]

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calls on Jews around the world to move to Israel in the shadow of antisemitic attacks around the world.

“Jews have the right to live in safety everywhere. But we see and fully understand what is happening, and we have a certain historical experience,” Sa’ar says at a Hanukkah candlelighting ceremony in Rishon Lezion. “Today, Jews are being hunted across the world. Today I call on Jews in England, Jews in France, Jews in Australia, Jews in Canada, Jews in Belgium: come to the Land of Israel! Come home!”

Sa’ar says that Israelis “are waiting for you here with open arms. With love. In the true home of the Jewish people. Why raise your children in this atmosphere? Come with your families to the land of our forefathers, to the State of Israel, where the Jews taught the entire world what Jewish self-defense means. The time has come.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saar-says-the-time-has-come-for-jews-around-the-world-to-move-to-israel/

 

[Kaatje]

Sa’ar says that Israelis “are waiting for you here with open arms. With love. In the true home of the Jewish people. Why raise your children in this atmosphere? Come with your families to the land of our forefathers, to the State of Israel, where the Jews taught the entire world what Jewish self-defense means. The time has come.”

The time has come.
Amen!

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

Amethyst mentioned in another thread that the cost of moving or living in Israel is deterring a lot of Jews returning.

Is it true that Israel is offering concessions of some sort to entice them to return?

 

[Margery]

Amethyst mentioned in another thread that the cost of moving or living in Israel is deterring a lot of Jews returning.

Is it true that Israel is offering concessions of some sort to entice them to return?

Just from memory, I thought they offer really impressive tax breaks for the first 2 years, and some other financial incentives.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Just from memory, I thought they offer really impressive tax breaks for the first 2 years, and some other financial incentives.

Not sure what they're doing now. What's been available has changed from time to time and depends on where the person is from. European Jewish people have historically received preferential treatment, compared to Jewish people from Africa and Asia.

Regardless, both the cost to Make Aliya and cost of living are very high, and lots of paperwork, documentation, and coordination required.

Had my former husband and I moved there, there would have been some financial assistance since he was quarter Jewish (Russian/Polish), but even so, and even with both of our military retirements, we couldn't afford it, in part because of the likely annual trip back to the States due to family being here (and the potential for very expensive, no-notice flights for family emergency(ies). Not being Israeli citizens, we had to assume neither of us would be allowed to work. Best case, he would have obtained automatic Israeli citizenship based on Jewish heritage, with me as his wife also granted citizenship, and both of us able to work. Under those circumstances, we could have afforded it.

IIRC, the usual limits on accompanied bags for immigration/Aliya at that time was two checked large suitcases/duffles, another checked large bag/duffle/trunk, and a carry-on. We could have also had family ship stuff to us after we got an address or (maybe) to the embassy, but very expensive. Bringing Christian materials in was limited. The usual advice was a Bible for each person, plus one or two additional reference books, and a promise not to evangelize. It was easier customs-wise to only take the Bibles and either have other items (judiciously) shipped later, or sell before leaving and replace in Israel. Christian materials weren't illegal, but they didn't want evangelism, and were suspicious of anyone with a lot of Christian materials.