More Israelis emigrate, leaving behind war and civil strife
A growing number of Israelis are emigrating due to ongoing wars, political instability, and social divisions. The trend, which has seen 270,000 departures in three years, marks a significant shift for a nation founded as a haven for Jewish people.
Why it matters
The mass departure of young, educated citizens poses a long-term demographic and economic challenge to Israel's stability and national identity.
| Courtesy of Yaniv Allon Yaniv Allon shares a moment on the beach with one of his daughters this August in Serra Grande, Brazil, where they are searching for a home to buy. He is seeking a less stressful place to raise his family. Loading...
Aug. 26, 2026, 5:58 p.m. ET | Tel Aviv, Israel
This summer, Yaniv Allon and his wife packed suitcases for themselves and their three young children and flew 6,000 miles to northern Brazil, to a region of lush hills and ocean views, to scout for what they hope will become their new home.
Their quest to “relocate” – as many Israelis prefer to call the decision to move, a less emotionally charged linguistic choice than “leaving” – is part of a record wave of emigration over the past three years driven by ongoing wars and fraught internal divides.
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