Four Flights Bring 230 French Olim to Israel

Four flights carrying 230 new immigrants from France landed at Ben Gurion Airport overnight from Monday to Tuesday as part of Israel's summer 2026 aliyah operation. Their arrival brought the operation's French total to about 800. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, and dozens of Bnei Akiva members welcomed the newcomers. More than 6,500 Jews have made aliyah from France since the October 7 massacre, while French arrivals rose from 1,097 in 2023 to 3,357 in 2025. The ministry expects thousands of new immigrants from multiple countries during the summer, including many families preparing for the school year.