Minister of Aliya Wants to Focus on ‘Chabad Circles’

By COLlive reporter

Israeli Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer says he seeks to shift the country’s immigration policy to focus on encouraging Jewish aliyah rooted in faith and community — not as a political tool or an escape route from foreign crises.

Sofer, a Knesset member for the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism and a former IDF major, emphasized that his goal is to “raise the value of aliyah.”

Speaking to Ariel Kahana of Israel Hayom, Sofer said: “Aliyah should not be just a means of fleeing Russia. If a young woman who discovered at age 12 that she’s Jewish wants to come here — that’s deeply moving. I want aliyah to come from the heart, from a desire to be part of the Jewish people.”

He noted that while Israel must remain open and welcoming, the government can influence where and how immigration is encouraged.

“Policy matters,” he said. “For example, we should encourage aliyah from Eastern Europe, but around Chabad communities. People who come through Chabad see Israel not as a stopover on the way to the West, but as their home.”

Sofer contrasted his approach with that of his predecessors from the Yisrael Beiteinu party led by Avigdor Lieberman, accusing them of using aliyah from the former Soviet Union for political gain.

Under the pretext of the war between Russia and Ukraine, many people came here for a day or two, took a passport, absorption benefits, and left. Even wealthy people from Moscow did this. There were clear political motives behind that policy,” Sofer said.

Since taking office, Sofer said he has reversed several measures introduced by former minister Lieberman. “I stopped Lieberman’s discriminatory policies, ended the so-called ‘one-time shop’ service, and canceled the ‘passport law’ that granted immediate passports to new arrivals,” he stated. “That policy led the ministry in the wrong direction.”

According to Sofer, large immigration waves cannot be manufactured by campaigns but only arise from major world events. Still, he says the government can strengthen a wave once it begins.

He pointed to new trends showing a sharp decline in immigration from Russia — down 45% compared to the previous two years — while aliyah from Western Europe rose by about 50%, and from North America and Australia by 11% in 2024, with the trend continuing into 2025.

“These numbers show that when the focus shifts toward those who genuinely want to be part of the Jewish people, aliyah becomes stronger and more meaningful,” Sofer said.

Sofer’s comments bring to mind the Rebbe’s call that Israel’s immigration law follow halacha, that “Who is a Jew” be defined by Torah standards. Decades later, the law remains unchanged, leaving that principle still unfulfilled.