A total of 140 new immigrants from France landed in Israel on Monday aboard a special "Families Flight," organized by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and The Jewish Agency for Israel, in partnership with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).

The group of olim, which includes 80 infants, children, and teenagers, was accompanied by Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer and Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog.

Among the passengers were three sets of twins: four-month-old Mia and Ethel, five-month-old Noam and Nerly, and 11-year-old Noa and Avidan. The oldest passenger aboard the flight was an 85-year-old woman named Annie, whose children already live in Israel.

The new olim were welcomed with Israeli flags, music, and dancing at Ben-Gurion Airport by ICEJ, Aliyah and Integration Ministry representatives, and members of youth movements.

"It’s so moving to see young families choosing to make Aliyah to Israel, especially now. They are choosing to raise their children here, in the State of Israel, the home of the Jewish people,” said Sofer. “Over the past few years, we have led a series of reforms designed to make the Aliyah and integration process smoother, including programs for students, the streamlining of professional licensing, housing solutions, and more.”

“All of these are meant to help newcomers integrate quickly into Israeli society and the workforce. But above and beyond all the reforms and changes stands the great Israeli spirit, and that depends on all of us, on each and every one of us. Welcome to Israel."

Almog echoed the sentiment, adding that "Aliyah is the growth engine of the State of Israel.”

“Seeing children excited to board the plane in France and stepping off it as Israeli citizens, alongside parents who choose to start a new life here despite all the challenges, is a reminder of the power of Zionism,” he said. “Every family that arrives strengthens the State of Israel, and our mission is to accompany them from the very first moment and ensure they feel that this is their home."

“The increase in Aliyah from France at this time is deeply moving for Israel and especially encouraging given the country's ongoing security challenges,” said ICEJ president Dr. Jürgen Bühler, adding that his organization is honored to be supporting the new olim.

Since October 7, the number of olim from France has risen sharply: In 2023, Israel welcomed 1,097 new French immigrants. In 2024, the number doubled to 2,234, and grew to 3,357 in 2025.

According to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and The Jewish Agency, approximately 2,400 French olim have arrived in Israel through July 2026, an over 30% increase compared to the same period last year.

Some 80,000 Jews have opened aliyah files through the The Jewish Agency's Global Aliyah Center since October 7. Of those, approximately 20,000 have been from France.