This is how young immigrants will strengthen Jerusalem

According to the plan written in cooperation with the Municipality of Jerusalem and with the assistance of the Jewish Agency, the State of Israel will take action to encourage young immigrants, aged 18-35, single or married, to settle in Jerusalem, establish their home there, strengthen the city and be a significant component in development of the city, in terms of the number of residents as well as all areas of life.

According to the data, over 18,000 people immigrated to Israel and initially settled in Jerusalem since 2018, about half of them young people aged 18-35. However, although a large percentage of young people settled in the city, about 30% of them left Jerusalem over the last five years.

The young immigrants who settle in Jerusalem constitute a substantial human and economic resource for the city, and as part of the commitment of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and of Minister Sofer, to strengthen the status of Jerusalem, the program was formulated with an aim of promoting the optimal integration of the immigrants in the city in all areas of life; strengthening their sense of belonging and of finding their home there; and thereby contributing to the strengthening of the city.

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration has gathered support for the program by other government ministries, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, and the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, as well as the Jewish Agency and the National Civil Service Authority, which together will provide a budget of approximately NIS 95 million (NIS 31.5 million per year for three years).

The program will operate on several levels, including encouraging immigration to Jerusalem, such as by holding unique annual fairs abroad to encourage immigrants to settle in Jerusalem, and by establishing young immigrant centers in Jerusalem in cooperation with the Jewish Agency that will work to absorb the immigrants while building special programs to integrate immigrant students into academia, and to place those who are already professionals in their profession in Jerusalem. At the same time, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in collaboration with the Municipality of Jerusalem, will work to assist immigrants in the areas of occupational training, preparation for licensing in professions that require it, and employment that matches their experience and skills.

In addition, special educational programs will be implemented for immigrant children in Jerusalem. The Ministry of Education will hold training programs for teachers in Jerusalem on optimal integration of immigrant children into schools and school activities. Along with this, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in coordination with and with the approval of the Ministry of Education, will hold after-school assistance and study reinforcement programs, in which the needs of the immigrant students in Jerusalem will be examined in order to maximize their learning abilities.

The government's decision also deals with activities for integration into the community, culture and leisure, under which the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration will arrange tours to familiarize immigrants with Jerusalem as the capital city, and with Jewish heritage. Support will be increased in the city of Jerusalem for activities to integrate immigrants into the community, and to increase the urban culture initiatives and projects in Jerusalem in the years 2023-2025 concerning immigrants living in the city, in order to strengthen the immigrants' sense of belonging to Jerusalem and its culture.

It was also determined that the National Civil Service Authority will carry out a project for the promotion of a unique plan to increase the number of those in national service in Jerusalem - immigrants in particular, and volunteers in general - for the purpose of assisting immigrants, as well as in the framework of other service.

The Minister of Aliyah and Absorption, Ofir Sofer, said "I am happy to announce that after two months of work by teams led by the Director-General of my Ministry, Avihai Kahana, and the Director-General of the Municipality, Itzik Larry, on a comprehensive plan to encourage immigration to Jerusalem, we are implementing the plan.
It is an excellent plan that will bring young people, academics and families to the city. The 'Young People Immigrate to Jerusalem' program will strengthen the city in all aspects, such as economic, Zionist and demographic ones, and I am happy about the important partnership with the Mayor who sees great value in the immigration of Jews to the city. I thank the ministers of education, culture, Jerusalem and heritage, and national missions for the assistance and partnership for the strengthening of Jerusalem."

The Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, said "Jerusalem absorbs more immigrants than any other city in Israel. We invest heavily in immigrants and encourage immigration to the city from all over the world. The young immigrants are integrated into the city's economy and make a significant contribution in all areas of life. Together with the government ministries and the Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, we initiated a three-year plan with a budget of NIS 95 million, which I intend to invest in encouragement of immigration and financial assistance of absorption for the coming years. I thank the entire Israeli government and Minister Sofer for the support and great investment in the city, its residents and the new immigrants."