In a rare and crucial exercise, Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in collaboration with the National Emergency Authority, ran a full-scale simulation in the city of Ramla to prepare for a mass influx of Jews fleeing global antisemitism. The scenario envisioned planes arriving one after another, packed with thousands of Jews desperately seeking refuge from security threats and escalating hatred abroad. Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people, would need to absorb and integrate around 10,000 new arrivals within two weeks—many with incomplete paperwork, some even lacking full eligibility under the Law of Return.
The exercise, which took place in mid-November, tested Israel’s ability to handle a surge in immigration, forcing officials to simulate everything from airport handling and medical screenings to housing, food, schooling, and job placements. The goal was clear: ensure that Israel could effectively absorb waves of Jews fleeing hostile environments, much like it did in the past, but this time with lessons learned from recent crises.
The urgency behind the drill lies in the growing specter of global antisemitism, a problem that has only intensified in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Since that attack, thousands of Jews have chosen to make Aliyah, a movement that has spiked amidst the increasing safety concerns in Europe and North America. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration is preparing for what might be the inevitable: a scenario where a large-scale exodus of Jews from hostile countries forces Israel to act quickly and decisively.
As part of the exercise, officials simulated the arrival of 800 new immigrants per day over two weeks. This is a scenario that, while extreme, is not entirely implausible given the climate of rising Jew-hatred around the world. Aliyah Minister Ofir Sofer emphasized that the scenario could “definitely materialize” given the current trends in global antisemitism. In fact, he remarked that Israel must be prepared to offer a fast and dignified escape route for Jews facing imminent danger.
While the mass aliyah simulation in Ramla was a controlled exercise, the lessons it offers are far from hypothetical. In recent months, Israel has already experienced the arrival of thousands of new immigrants due to the chaos in places like Russia and Ukraine. Yet, as Immigration and Absorption Ministry Director General Avichai Kahana noted, the true test comes after the first wave of arrivals when the media spotlight fades, and the real work of integration begins.
The logistical challenges are formidable. When hundreds of people arrive daily, some of whom may be fleeing violence, others arriving with medical needs, and many lacking full documentation, the process becomes a Herculean task. But these challenges must be faced head-on if Israel is to remain the safe haven it was always meant to be.
Moreover, the new plans being implemented by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration focus not just on immediate survival but on long-term success. This includes initiatives to integrate immigrants into the workforce and the community, offering employment and tax incentives, and streamlining professional licensing processes. The goal is not simply to offer temporary refuge but to ensure that each new immigrant can quickly build a new life in the land of Israel.
As Minister Ofir Sofer rightly said, “It is impossible to ignore the possibility that extreme scenarios will lead to rapid and massive immigration in the future. The State of Israel must be prepared to absorb and embrace them whenever needed.”
