Shana, a 23-year-old Jewish law student from Paris, is making the decision to leave France and move to Israel due to increased anti-Semitic acts following the Hamas terrorist attack. Like 1,660 other French citizens of Jewish faith, Shana is planning to make “aliyah” to Israel.
Despite the rise in anti-Semitism in France, the country remains a safe haven for French Jews, according to Emmanuel Sion. The increase in departures to Israel is not a massive spike, but rather a return to normal averages following significant events like the 2015 terrorist attack at the Paris Hypercacher kosher supermarket.
France stands out globally as the country with the highest number of aliyahs, with a historical low of 1,100 departures in 2023. While there has been a 42% decrease in aliyahs in the West, French Jews are not fleeing France solely due to rising anti-Semitism, as the country is perceived to be making efforts to ensure their safety.