‘It’s an earthquake’: Aliyah chief sees unprecedented urgency among British Jews

“I’ve been in the business of aliyah for many, many years, and I’ve never seen the sense of urgency that we’re seeing right now,” said Deganit Sanker-Lange, director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. “Basically, it’s an earthquake.” Sanker-Lange spoke to ynet Global in London on Sunday, as two events focused on aliyah drew large numbers of British Jews. Outside, a pro-Palestinian demonstration was taking place, and anti-Israel leaflets were being distributed.

Both events were held under exceptionally heavy security. Sanker-Lange said antisemitism was one factor driving interest in moving to Israel, but not the only one. She also pointed to Israel’s efforts to attract skilled professionals, particularly doctors, and help them integrate into the country’s health care system. “It’s partly due to antisemitism, but I don’t think that’s the whole story,” she said. An aliyah fair organized by Ofek Israeli in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency attracted more than 1,200 British Jews exploring the possibility of making aliyah.

Alongside the fair, MedEx UK, held in London for the second time, brought together about 130 Jewish doctors with Israeli government representatives, hospitals and health maintenance organizations to explore opportunities to practice medicine in Israel. MedEx is part of a national initiative to encourage medical aliyah, led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, and Nefesh B’Nefesh, in partnership with the Jewish Agency.

The program helps doctors navigate the aliyah process while addressing staffing shortages in Israel’s health care system. Since the start of his tenure, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer has made France and the United Kingdom a strategic focus of his efforts to encourage aliyah. The growing interest seen in Britain reflects an expanded investment in the country and a stronger effort to engage with British Jews and prospective immigrants.

The urgency, Sanker-Lange said, is reflected in the questions prospective immigrants are asking, and in their determination to act now rather than wait. “I want to come now. What can you give me now?” she said, describing a growing desire to begin integrating into Israeli society and the medical profession as quickly as possible. After years of working in aliyah, Sanker-Lange said she had never witnessed such urgency. For many British Jews, aliyah is no longer just a possibility to consider for the future.

Increasingly, the question is how soon they can make it happen.