Israel has welcomed over 25,000 new olim (immigrants) since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February. Operation Come Home was established to rescue refugees and absorb immigrants from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, and Belarus.

Most of the new arrivals were housed temporarily in hotels before being dispersed to the various cities for permanent residence. Ministry officials and local authorities were in close contact with the latest arrivals, helping them acclimate to their new country.

Haifa welcomed the most Ukrainians with 2,707 new immigrants, followed by Netanya with 2,438 new immigrants, and Tel Aviv-Yafo, which has absorbed 2,324 new immigrants. Israel has absorbed the most Ukrainians per capita since the Russian invasion than any other Western country without a land border with Ukraine.

The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal, United Hatzalah, and Jewish groups and donors from around the world are bringing Ukrainian Jews to Israel.

There are an estimated 200,000 Ukrainians who are eligible for Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return. There are roughly half a million Israelis of Ukrainian descent.

Over the past three years, Israel has absorbed more than 100,000 new immigrants worldwide.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata responded to the achievement in an announcement on Monday:

“With great pride, I’m happy to announce that we’ve passed the 25,000 thresholds of immigrants in this operation,” she said. “This proves that the State of Israel is a warm and safe home for all Jews in distress. We continue to make great government efforts to absorb the new immigrants in the best possible way.”

According to the ministry, “since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, a broad national and governmental effort to rescue and absorb new immigrants from Ukraine and neighboring countries has led to thousands of new immigrants choosing to come to Israel.”

On Tuesday, Tamano-Shata will address the European Parliament conference on “The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine: Israel’s efforts and experience in the absorption of refugees and the EU effort.”

“This is just one area where Israel and the EU can and should develop strategic cooperation in the post-Corona world,” she said.

Part of the messianic prophecy, the proof, and the promise, is the ingathering of the exiles, a miracle happening in front of our eyes.  These prophetic days are bringing back Jews from the farthest corners, reawakening Jewish souls that have forgotten their roots in the Holy Land.