May 30th 1999
15 Sivan 5759
JerusalemJewish Agency For Israel Survey: Anti-Semitism - one of the major reasons for immigration to Israel from Russia
Immigration to Israel from Russia up by 116% for first quarter of 1999Jerusalem: Anti-semitism has become one of the major reasons for immigration to Israel from Russia since the economic and political crisis began in August 1998, according to a survey conducted by the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Department for the Former Soviet Union.
This Survey was conducted between March - May 1999 among immigrants from Russia who used the Jewish Agency’s Moscow flight station. The survey encompassed 1054 participants who comprised 85% of the total number of immigrants to Israel via Moscow during this period. The participants were asked to state two main reasons for having immigrated to Israel. The findings of the survey were compared with the findings of a similar survey conducted between February – June 1998 (before the economic/political crisis in Russia).
The survey shows that 31% of those interviewed stated anti-semitism as one of the two main reasons for having immigrated to Israel compared with only 9% before the crisis. Similarly the survey shows that "concern for the children’s future" is still one of the main reasons for immigration (58% of those interviewed stated this factor as one of the two main reasons compared with 51% last year). Furthermore the factor of political instability increased (24% chose it as the main reason for immigration compared with 15% last year).
An additional survey conducted by JAFI’s Department for the Former Soviet Union, relating to the framework of Hebrew Learning Centers (Ulpanim) in the Former Soviet Union encompassing 20,000 students was conducted between May – June 1998. Based on these figures 40% of the students were first exposed to Jewish-Zionist activities by way of the Ulpanim. Similarly, most of the students view "preparation for immigration" as the main reason for participation in the Ulpan. More than half of the Ulpan students express a desire to immigrate within one year. Other reasons for participating in the Ulpan are: searching for a Jewish social framework, a connection to Judaism and Jewish culture, and intellectual curiosity.
The surveys were conducted by the information division of JAFI’s Department for the Former Soviet Union under the supervision of the department’s statistician, Dr. Eli Leshem.
For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706