French political turmoil may affect olim with restrictions on transferring money out of country

Israel's Aliyah and Integration Ministry is preparing for the possibility that political and economic turmoil in France could lead to restrictions on transferring money out of the country, potentially complicating plans by French Jews to immigrate to Israel, ministry director-general Dganit Sankar-Langa told Walla on Monday.

The concern centers on the possibility that, following elections in France, the government could impose restrictions on capital transfers that would make it more difficult for Jews seeking to move their lives to Israel to bring their savings with them.

"We are preparing for the possibility that, following the elections, a government decision will be made that will make it more difficult to transfer money out of France," she said.

According to Sankar-Langa, France's economic crisis is a significant factor behind growing interest in aliyah, no less than antisemitism.

"France's debt-to-GDP ratio is among the highest in OECD countries, and we are seeing the economic protests. That is why we are also examining this aspect and preparing to assist immigrants with tax advice, pension advice, and financial guidance."

The ministry stressed that the concern relates to a possible scenario, not a decision that has already been made in France.

The remarks come amid a sharp increase in immigration from France. According to Aliyah and Integration Ministry figures, approximately 3,400 Jews immigrated to Israel from France in 2025, while more than 4,000 have already arrived since the beginning of 2026, an increase of nearly 50% compared with the corresponding period last year.

By comparison, North America, home to nearly eight million Jews, is expected to send only about 4,000 immigrants to Israel this year, according to the most optimistic forecasts. France has a Jewish population of approximately 440,000.

This month, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Ofek Israeli held three aliyah fairs in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.

More than 600 households, representing approximately 2,000 people, attended the Paris Fair. According to ministry figures, about 90% of those expressing interest at the fair said they wanted to immigrate to Israel immediately or during 2027.

Sankar-Langa, who has worked at the ministry for approximately 12 years and also served as director-general during the Russia-Ukraine war, said she had never encountered such determination among prospective immigrants.

"We held large fairs a year and two years ago as well, but this time people are arriving with clear decisions. They say they are immigrating in the summer of 2027, approach the Education Ministry booth, and ask where their children will study. This is a level of certainty I have never experienced before. These are not questions of 'maybe' or 'let's see,' but questions about the here and now. There is a real sense of urgency."

Roni, a 75-year-old French-Israeli who has lived in Paris since 1975 and spent his career in senior management positions working with numerous public-sector clients, is well acquainted with the change.

For decades, he saw no contradiction between his Israeli identity and his life in France. Now, he says, everything has changed.

"We used to be proud to say we were Israelis, that we had served in the IDF. People were impressed. Now it has become something negative," he told Walla.

"In the past, we wouldn't even think twice before speaking Hebrew in the street or telling people in a business setting where our roots were. Now it's better to keep quiet. Now we're careful. My wife no longer speaks Hebrew as freely in a taxi as she once did. When we're asked at the airport where we've arrived from, we're no longer quick to say Israel. There are restaurants where we prefer that people not know we're Israeli or Jewish. There are restaurants we simply don't go to anymore."

The change is evident even at the entrance to their home.

"We have a mezuzah, but we moved it from the outside doorpost to the inside several years ago."

According to Roni, many Jews now avoid wearing a kippah in public, even on their way to synagogue and even on Yom Kippur.

"The atmosphere is very worrying. People tell you, you're Jewish, so you must be a Zionist, so you defend the killing of Palestinians. We used to speak enthusiastically about Israel, about its technology and the IDF. Now people look at you differently. You can speak, but they don't want to listen or understand."

He said concern about the future is especially pronounced among younger French Jews in their 30s and 40s, many of whom have children.

"Their parents, who came to France from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and managed to build good lives here, weren't necessarily thinking about leaving. But their children have started asking themselves where their future lies. This phenomenon began several years ago, long before the war, but now the questions have become much harder."

Even Jews with successful careers in France's high-tech industry are reconsidering their futures, he said.

"They ask what will happen in one, two, or three years, and whether their future is still in France."

Roni is also troubled by the country's political polarization and the growing strength of Marine Le Pen's nationalist right and the radical left led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a fierce critic of Israel.

"Jews are caught between a rock and a hard place, between the far Right and the far Left. Even well-established Jews, business owners, and people who have already built entire lives here are beginning to ask themselves where their future and their children's future lie."

Roni and his wife have already purchased an apartment in Herzliya and visit Israel three or four times a year, sometimes staying for a month or longer.

On this occasion, he came specifically to vote in Tuesday's elections.

"I'm trying to convince my wife to move permanently. She's still worried about the security situation in Israel. I actually feel safe here. Even with all the chaos in the country, I prefer to be here."

He can also see the change in Herzliya.

"Every time I come, I hear more and more French, in shops, in cafés, and even on the padel courts. Sometimes I feel as though I'm still in France."

His dream is to reverse the living arrangement he has become accustomed to over the past five decades: to live in Israel and visit France, rather than live in Paris and visit Israel.

Immigrants from France arrive in Israel with high hopes. Many are deeply committed to Zionism, speak Hebrew, and are religious or at least traditional.

Even those who do not wear a kippah regularly tend to send their children to state religious schools.

Many operated small businesses in France and intend to open similar businesses in Israel. They arrive with relative financial independence, a willingness to integrate into Israeli society, and an interest in volunteering for community activities.

Another prominent characteristic is their preference for living in close-knit communities near other families who have immigrated from France.

While French immigrants previously concentrated primarily in Netanya, Tel Aviv, and Ashdod, new communities have emerged in recent years in Nahariya, Afula, Hadera, and Haifa's Neve Sha'anan neighborhood.

In Or Akiva, for example, approximately 200 immigrants from France have settled in recent years.

These communities provide immigrants with supportive social networks, help them cope with the challenges of integration, and allow them to preserve the language and culture they brought with them.

Yet moving is not straightforward, even for those who have already decided to immigrate.

Israel's cost of living, housing prices, and the need to find employment are significant obstacles.

According to Sankar-Langa, many French Jews live in high-quality subsidized housing, sometimes in spacious apartments in desirable areas, and moving to Israel means making financial sacrifices.

To address one of the main obstacles, representatives of leading Israeli companies and organizations joined the Paris Fair for the first time this year.

They included Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Mekorot, Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot, and the National Artificial Intelligence Headquarters.

The goal was to begin recruiting employees even before they immigrated to Israel.

During the fair, company representatives met with approximately 200 prospective immigrants, more than 50 of whom were found to be potentially suitable for available positions.

"People didn't come just to find out what the options were and what the salaries were. They came to look for work," Sankar-Langa said.

"By the very next day, advanced interviews were being held with candidates who had been found suitable."

At the same time, approximately 200 families received guidance and information from ministry and Jewish Agency representatives, led by delegation head Erez Cohen.

Defense Ministry representatives who joined the delegation also met with parents of lone soldiers serving in Israel.

Following the developments, the prime minister instructed officials to formulate a dedicated government plan to encourage immigration from France and integrate the new arrivals.

Ministry officials are careful not to describe the preparations as an "emergency plan," a term that evokes previous events, particularly the wave of immigration following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

"Back then, people landed here carrying bags, sometimes without medication," Sankar-Langa recalled.

This time, she said, the goal is to prepare in advance for large-scale immigration, remove economic and bureaucratic obstacles, and ensure that immigrants not only reach Israel but also integrate successfully and remain in the country.

"Immigration from France is at its highest level in years, and we are preparing to absorb thousands more,” Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer said.

“This year, for the first time, we brought the major companies in the Israeli economy to France, based on the understanding that quality employment is one of the central keys to successful immigration and optimal integration."

Sankar-Langa also sees immigration as an opportunity for the Israeli economy, which faces shortages of engineers, doctors, teachers, and artificial intelligence professionals.

"We increasingly understand that the Aliyah and Integration Ministry is, in effect, the human resources department of the State of Israel," she said.