Friday, May 9, 2025

By: Ron Crissy ~ Ynetnews

Wednesday, 7 May 2025 | At least 32 wounded Druze were evacuated from conflict areas in Syria to Ziv Medical Center in Safed in less than a week. 

"I was sure I wouldn’t survive. I waited for days with my injuries, without medicine or help," shared one of the patients on Tuesday. He arrived with shrapnel wounds to his limbs. "When I finally got to Ziv, they gave me water, treated me, and spoke to me like a human being." He expressed gratitude to the medical staff, adding, "You take care of me all the time—and you're saving lives." 

Of the 32 evacuees brought to Ziv since April 30—including women, children and men—19 remain hospitalized under medical supervision. They are being treated in the orthopedic, neurosurgery, pediatric and high-risk maternity departments, where staff are working around the clock to provide professional, compassionate care. 

Professor Aviram Nissan, head of the surgical division at Ziv, spoke about the patients' conditions and the complexity of their treatment, noting that the hospital received 30 wounded individuals and two women—one in a high-risk pregnancy and one in serious condition after giving birth. 

"Some of the patients underwent surgery, others were treated with invasive procedures, and some will undergo surgery today, tomorrow and in the coming days," he said. 

Currently, 19 patients remain hospitalized, one has been transferred to another facility, and Ziv remains on standby to receive additional casualties. "We have extensive experience from previous years treating wounded individuals from across the Syrian border during the civil war, and we are continuing that effort," Nissan said. "We will provide care to anyone who arrives at Ziv Medical Center." 

Among the recent arrivals was a 37-year-old Druze man from a Syrian village at the heart of the fighting. He was moderately injured after jumping from a height of two stories—about 12 meters [39 ft]—while trying to escape danger. “I felt my life was in danger. I had to jump and fell into an elevator shaft,” said the injured businessman from Syria. 

He described receiving care in Israel as "coming full circle," noting: “My grandfather grew up here, and I have family in the village of Rama. The excellent medical team and my family from Rama are surrounding me with love—I don’t have enough words to thank you.” He was admitted to the spinal surgery unit in Orthopedics B and has since undergone back surgery. 

Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force operated in the As-Suwayda region of Syria, securing the ground evacuation of wounded Druze and delivering supplies via aircraft to communities on Jabal al-Druze. Earlier in the week, there was also an aerial evacuation of Druze casualties from Syrian territory. 

On Saturday, the IDF spokesperson reported strikes across Syria, targeting a military site, anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile infrastructure. The commanders of the Israeli Air Force and Northern Command were present in the air force operations center during the attacks. 

“The IDF struck dozens of infrastructure elements and weapons systems across Syria using 12 fighter jets, including anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missile launchers,” the IDF statement said. “The IDF will continue to ensure aerial freedom of operation to carry out its missions and remove any threats in the region.” 

A day earlier, Israel carried out a strike near the Syrian presidential palace as a warning to President Ahmad al-Sharaa following clashes with members of the Druze community. Damascus called the strike a "dangerous escalation."

By: JNS

Monday, 5 May 2025 | The Israeli Security Cabinet was scheduled to meet yesterday to approve a significant expansion of the ground campaign in the Gaza Strip; the IDF has already begun mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists to reinforce combat units and support the next phase of the war. 

The intensified military action aims to increase pressure on Hamas to free hostages and bring about the collapse of the terrorist group’s control in Gaza. Senior military officials say the two objectives are closely linked and will be pursued in tandem as part of a broader strategy. 

Defense sources noted that the mobilization is one of the largest since the war began 19 months ago, with newly called-up reservists being integrated into training and operational deployments. 

Over the weekend, IDF troops, operating in coordination with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), carried out extensive operations across the Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, reservists from the Jerusalem Brigade, operating under the 252nd “Sinai” Division, continued to engage Hamas operatives in the Shejaiya neighborhood, dismantling underground infrastructure and seizing weapons caches. 

The Israeli Air Force [IAF] attacked more than 100 terrorist targets throughout Gaza, including tunnel shafts, command centers and structures used by armed cells, the military said. Ground forces located and destroyed additional weapons and killed several terrorists. 

In southern Gaza, IDF troops operating in Rafah and along the Morag Corridor dismantled dozens of terrorist sites and uncovered more weapons stores. These operations were conducted jointly with the IAF and are part of what Israeli officials describe as a gradual but escalating campaign to dismantle Hamas’s remaining operational capabilities. 

Despite ongoing strikes, the IDF assesses that Hamas maintains at least two organized brigades and continues to pose a threat. However, Israeli officials have noted that recent military and humanitarian pressure is hurting the group’s ability to operate. Some Hamas fighters have surrendered, and the terrorist organization’s command and control systems have sustained significant damage. 

The Cabinet was expected to review the next phase of the campaign, presented late last week to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Military leadership has called the expanded operations essential for both military and diplomatic objectives, including increasing leverage in ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages. 

Separately, the IDF confirmed that it continues to carry out operations in Syria aimed at preventing the transfer of strategic weapons and protecting Israel’s northern border. In a recent humanitarian operation, injured members of the Druze community in Syria were evacuated to Israeli hospitals. 

The IDF reiterated that it remains committed to its mission to defend Israeli civilians and to act decisively against terrorist threats in all sectors.

By Yoav Zitun ~ Ynetnews

Thursday, 8 May 2025 | The four tanks from the IDF's 188th Armored Brigade that entered Jenin with fanfare earlier this year—at the urging of political leaders—have recently been quietly withdrawn from the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] and redeployed to their more natural place: the ruined neighborhoods of Rafah in southern Gaza. 

Soon, the active duty soldiers of the Nachshon Battalion will also leave the densely packed ghost neighborhood in the heart of what is often called the "terror capital" to take part in the expanded ground operation in Gaza recently approved by the Cabinet. Their last encounter with hostile forces in Jenin occurred four months ago, and since then not even riots have broken out. The quiet will now be handed over to reservists, many of whom are being called up for their fifth or sixth round of duty within a year and a half. 

A low dirt mound separates the bustling streets of Jenin from the refugee camp neighborhood, technically part of the city itself. The camp is located in the northernmost tip of the West Bank, near Afula. Modern high-rises and shopping centers surround the camp, which sits at a lower elevation. Its narrow alleyways closely abut Jenin’s city streets on all sides. 

Inside the city of Jenin, there's prosperity and normalcy: the malls and schools are open and, as Ynet reported about a month ago, the IDF has resumed allowing Israeli Arabs to spend millions of shekels there every weekend on shopping sprees. In the small, infamous bubble of the refugee camp, a few dozen IDF soldiers remain permanently stationed, supported by male and female Border Police officers from Unit 23. 

These troops have effectively been living inside the camp for five months, although their actual operations now take place outside the city—focused on arrest raids in nearby villages, where, according to Central Command estimates, several dozen terrorists are still hiding, about 10 of whom are considered to have "blood on their hands." 

Meanwhile, the soldiers feel at ease, surrounded by graffiti of Stars of David on building walls and newly bulldozed roads created through the demolition of around 200 structures. In shops around the neighborhood, dusty shelves still display electronics and food items. Many of the approximately 3,000 Palestinian residents who were displaced from the camp remain disappointed with the Palestinian Authority's proposed solutions, such as temporary housing on farmland. 

Four months after the IDF seized control of two refugee camps in the West Bank, commanders estimate that only a few dozen fugitives from the Jenin camp remain on the run—eight of them considered high-value targets. Nachshon Battalion fighters from the Kfir Brigade are now in their final days in Jenin before being redeployed as regular infantry in Gaza. Contrary to earlier plans, they’ll be replaced by reservists. In recent months, the regular troops have alternated between routine security duties and "mini-maneuvers"—two-and-a-half-week stays inside seized Palestinian homes in the camp (dubbed "identifications"), followed by four-day breaks at home. 

“The conditions here for the troops are good, the food is decent, and we’re already deep in preparations for the major operation planned in Gaza,” said the battalion’s commander, Lt. Col. G. The last armed encounter his forces faced in Jenin was four months ago, and since then, not even disturbances have occurred—despite dozens of soldiers effectively living in the hostile 1.5-square-kilometer [0.6 sq. mile] camp surrounded by the urban sprawl of Jenin. 

As the IDF gears up for a wider offensive in Gaza and commanders count every reservist willing to answer a fifth or sixth emergency call-up in under two years, the army made an unusual move today: it invited journalists to the Jenin refugee camp without any specific reason. 

According to commanders, the first two phases of Operation Iron Wall—achieving operational control of the camp and clearing its structures—were completed successfully two months ago. Since then, troops have focused on arrest raids and pursuing dozens of remaining militants who fled the camp to nearby villages. These fugitives are now without their home turf and far from the narrow alleyways where they once operated more than 100 surveillance cameras to track IDF patrols and time their roadside bombings with deadly precision. 

“The camp is clear of hostile forces,” said one commander. “We demolished around 200 buildings not to destroy, but to eliminate enemy infrastructure—now and in the future—that could endanger our forces. It also allowed us to create roads for troop movement and casualty evacuation. After Operation Defensive Shield 23 years ago, the militants learned lessons and built barriers on those roads to prevent military vehicles from maneuvering.” 

According to IDF figures, 102 terrorists have been killed so far in the current operation in northern Samaria; 320 have been arrested; and 14 airstrikes have been carried out, including by fighter jets. The operation has also led to a sharp drop in both threat alerts and actual attacks. A total of 338 weapons have been seized. The most recent Ramadan [one of the Five Pillars of Islam when stringent disciplines are observed], just a month ago, was reportedly one of the quietest in the West Bank in a decade. During Passover, 41,000 Israelis visited the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, and about half of all IDF counterterror operations (arrests and weapons seizures) in the West Bank now take place in the Hebron and Bethlehem areas. 

Since the start of the operation, around 450 weapons have been seized, along with the destruction of hundreds of improvised explosive devices. Dozens of homes that served as weapons labs have been demolished. As part of the effort to open new roads for military access, approximately 100 buildings in Jenin and another 100 in Tulkarm and Nur Shams have been razed. Since the war began, about 930 militants have been killed in the West Bank, and some 2,050 weapons have been seized. 

The IDF said: “To prevent terror from reestablishing itself in northern Samaria, the army is making changes to the camps, including opening roads to ensure freedom of movement and operational flexibility for our troops. As part of this plan, Central Command has announced its intention to demolish additional buildings. These demolitions are the result of thorough evaluations and are limited to the minimum necessary to guarantee security.” 

Business as Usual in Jenin City

Inside the damaged and deserted refugee camp, the sense of security among the soldiers is palpable. They enter and exit the area in armored vehicles—sometimes even without protective netting—using the city’s main roads in broad daylight, without being pelted by stones. The army cites Israel’s “carrot and stick” strategy, led by political authorities and first reported by Ynet two months ago. Just last weekend, Israeli Arabs contributed NIS 17 million [USD 4.75 million] to Jenin’s economy thanks to the reopening of the Jalama crossing, allowing them to shop in the city formerly dubbed the “terror capital.” 

“The malls in Jenin are packed, the stores are bustling, the schools are all open—and that’s not something to be taken for granted, considering there’s a permanent IDF force operating inside the city’s refugee camp,” said an IDF official. “We have solid coordination with the Palestinian security forces in the area. In their last major operation here a year ago, they couldn’t even advance past the second row of buildings due to heavy militant resistance. Six of their officers were killed. What they did in six weeks, we’ve done in 24 hours.” 

Alongside the IDF troops, a full Border Police company—Unit 23—is permanently stationed in the city. These male and female officers, trained to a similar level as IDF border infantry, protect reporters visiting the camp. Their presence has long become routine. “We have the advantage of continuity, while IDF battalions rotate in and out frequently,” said one Border Police officer. “We carry out every type of mission, which helps bolster the IDF’s manpower.” 

Maj. G., the operations officer for the Menashe Brigade, looked at graffiti sprayed by soldiers on the walls of deserted Palestinian homes. “We handle any unusual incidents, fix things if needed, and repaint. Everything we destroyed had a reason. I don’t know when—or if—the 3,000 Palestinians who lived here will return,” he said. 

Half of Freed Prisoners Returning to Terror

Meanwhile, Central Command is also dealing with the 408 prisoners recently released to the West Bank as part of the latest hostage deal with Hamas. Early indications suggest that some are already trying to return to terrorism. Statistics are stark: 82% of those freed in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal resumed terrorist activity, as have about 50% of those released in the first round of the 2023 hostage deal. From a security standpoint, the military prefers to have released prisoners in the West Bank rather than Gaza, as the IDF has full operational freedom to act in the West Bank at any time and in any location. 

“They’re under tight surveillance, and we interrogated and warned them before their release,” said a senior IDF source. “Zakaria Zubeidi, for example—the militant most associated with Jenin—is now busy with political meetings in Ramallah. He doesn’t come here anymore. And he knows that if he returns to terrorism, it’ll be at his peril.” The commander of Central Command, Maj. Gen. Yaki Dolf stated: “Any terrorist who returns to terrorism has only himself to blame.” He explained that Operation Iron Wall is aimed at dismantling the terrorist system from its roots, starting with achieving operational control over key strongholds like Jenin. “We’re systematically pursuing the fugitives with intelligence and keeping track of every movement route. As a result, we now can operate anywhere, anytime—even in the heart of the refugee camps.” 

The IDF estimates that the two battalions added to the northern West Bank for holding the camps may be withdrawn by year’s end, once operations are complete and all wanted fugitives have been arrested. Ultimately, this will be a political decision. Regardless, the four tanks deployed to the area at the beginning of the operation, under political pressure, have long since been removed and sent to Gaza, where they are relevant to combat, not just photo ops.

By: Bar Zaga ~ Ynetnews

Wednesday, 7 May 2025 | Arab-Israeli activist and former Israel Defense Forces soldier Yoseph Haddad said he believes a majority of Arab citizens in Israel want to be part of Israeli society and live in coexistence with Jewish citizens. 

“I truly believe there is a majority of Arabs who want to be part of Israeli society,” Haddad said during a recent appearance on The Watercooler podcast. “Not everyone is like me, and I don’t think there are Jews who are as patriotic as I am in terms of being combat soldiers—but I know there’s a majority who want a shared life.” 

Haddad, 39, is a Christian Arab from Nazareth who volunteered for the IDF and served in the elite Golani Brigade. He later founded the NGO “Together – Vouch for Each Other,” which works to bridge gaps between Arab and Jewish communities in Israel. He is recognized internationally for his pro-Israel advocacy and views on coexistence. 

“I’m a citizen of this country—it’s mine just like it’s yours,” Haddad said. “You’re Jewish, I’m Arab—so what? Our enemies don’t differentiate between us.” 

Haddad enlisted in November 2003, shortly after a Palestinian suicide bombing at the Maxim restaurant in Haifa killed 21 Israeli civilians—both Jews and Arabs. “That attack made my decision final. From that moment, if anyone asked me if I was sure I wanted to enlist, I said, ‘A million percent yes,’” he recalled. 

The activist emphasized that while he is aware of tensions and divisions, focusing solely on negative aspects leads to a distorted view. “If we only look at the bad, we’ll always conclude this place is full of hate. But that’s not true. I know the reality. Most Jews and Arabs want to live together as part of Israeli society.” 

Haddad said many Arabs who express pro-Israel views or identify openly as Israeli face accusations of betrayal. “Any Arab who says he’s Israeli is immediately labeled a Zionist and a traitor,” he said. “People come up to me and say, ‘Yoseph, say exactly what you’re saying. That’s what we think but are afraid to say out loud.’” 

He said his family has supported him throughout, despite the challenges. His mother was once hospitalized after being assaulted due to his activism. “My father told me, ‘They’re attacking you because they can’t fight your message. Don’t let them stop you.’” 

Haddad travels with security when needed, especially after violent protests erupted during his public appearances abroad. During a lecture in Oxford, England, he required seven bodyguards. “Outside, there were smoke grenades and chants of ‘Wanted: Dead or Alive.’ If I had been alone, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. 

He also criticized Arab-Israeli singer Lina Makhoul for listing a concert location as “Haifa, Palestine,” saying such statements contribute to false narratives about Israel. “If someone says Haifa is Palestine, and denies your existence, and you still prefer them over someone like me who loves this country—there’s a serious problem,” he said, addressing critics from both Jewish and Arab communities. 

Haddad was seriously injured during the 2006 Lebanon War, when a Hezbollah-fired missile narrowly missed him. He lost part of his foot and was nearly killed. “The doctor told the rescue team: ‘If you arrive within an hour, he’ll live. If not—come collect the body,’” Haddad recalled. “I never lost consciousness.” 

Haddad is engaged to American-born Israeli journalist and advocate Emily Schrader. The couple met through pro-Israel advocacy work and have delayed their wedding multiple times, including due to the October 7 Hamas attack that led to war in Gaza. “We’re like a married couple already, just without the paperwork,” he said. 

Despite multiple offers to enter politics, Haddad said he has put those conversations on hold. “Since October 7, I decided not to meet with anyone. This isn’t the time. My focus is on Israeli advocacy, visiting the wounded, and raising awareness about the hostages.” 

Asked whether he ever considered converting to Judaism, Haddad was clear: “No. I’m proud to be Arab and proud to be Israeli. These identities go together.”

By: Caanan Lidor ~ JNS

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 | More than half of US adults, or 53%, have an unfavorable opinion of Israel, up from 42% in March 2022 – before the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted March 24-30 looking at US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and global trade actions.

The survey also found that Americans’ confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also remains relatively low, at 32%.

US President Donald Trump has so far received mixed or negative views from Americans regarding his early foreign policy actions, including his involvement with Israel and in trying to end the war with Gaza.

Other foreign policy actions surveyed include Trump’s working more closely with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, withdrawing the US from international agreements, his statements about taking over Greenland and Gaza and tariffs imposed on US trade partners.

One example is that more Americans disapprove than approve of the US leaving international organizations and agreements including the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Agreement and cancelling most US Agency for International Development (USAID) programs

Some 43% of Americans says Trump is favoring Russia too much in his negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but when asked about their opinion on whether Trump is striking the right balance when it comes to US relations with Israelis and Palestinians, opinions are more mixed.

Some 31% say they see him favoring the Israelis too much and 29% say he is striking the right balance. Another 3% say he is favoring the Palestinians too much. This leaves 37% who say that they are unsure.

For comparison, in July, views of how US President Joe Biden was handling the conflict were more even with 21% saying he favored Israelis too much and 20 % saying he favored Palestinians too much, with another 18% saying he was striking the right balance and 40% unsure.

Meanwhile, most Americans do not think it’s likely Trump will pursue a takeover of Gaza.

Some 38% say it’s either not too or not at all likely, 26% say it’s somewhat likely, and 20% say it’s extremely or very likely. Another 16% are unsure.

Some 62% of Americans oppose the US taking over Gaza, including 49% who strongly oppose it. Another 22% are unsure, while 15% favor it.

From the perspective of politics, Republicans are somewhat more likely than Democrats to say it is unlikely that Trump will try to take over Gaza, with Republicans at 43% and Democrats at 34%.

Republicans are also more likely than Democrats to be in favor of a US takeover of Gaza at 27% to 5%, though a plurality of people in both parties oppose it. Some 44% of Republicans oppose the US taking over Gaza, while another 28% are unsure. Democrats are fairly united in their opposition, with 80% saying they oppose the measure, including 72% who strongly oppose it.

On Monday, speaking to reporters before a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump described the Gaza Strip as “a tremendous piece of real estate” and said the US still plans to take control of the territory. “It’s a great place. I don’t understand why Israel gave it up,” he said in remarks from the White House.

The survey was conducted from March 24 to March 30. A total of 3,605 panelists responded out of 4,045 who were sampled, for a survey-level response rate of 89%. The margin of sampling error for the full sample of 3,605 respondents is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.

The survey includes oversample of Jewish, Muslim and non-Hispanic Asian adults in order to provide more precise estimates of the opinions and experiences of these smaller demographic subgroups. These oversampled groups are weighted back to reflect their correct proportions in the population.

By: Robyn Hill ~ Bridges for Peace

What should have been a day of celebration for Israel’s Independence Day on Thursday morning, was overshadowed by distressing news of wildfires across the country. Reported to be among the largest in Israel’s history, firefighters and emergency teams rushed to fight the flames that broke out on Wednesday morning. The intense heat and fierce winds initiated immediate evacuations, road closures and the cancellation of celebrations across the country, including the official Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony.

Around 10 communities were evacuated from Neve Shalom, Beko’a, Ta’oz, and Nachshon and more, along with the military memorial in Latrun as reported by the Times of Israel. According to the Fire and Rescue Service, 163 firefighting teams were on the ground and 12 firefighting planes were dispatched by Wednesday evening to combat the out-of-control forest fires. Firefighter planes from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy were sent to help tackle the blaze alongside Israel’s emergency services.

After an intense 20 hours, firefighters began to gain control over the fast-spreading flames by Thursday evening. While dozens of Israeli residents were hurt, none are in serious condition. Miraculously, only a number of firefighters were lightly injured, with two hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

The fires have wrecked devastation across the hills surrounding Jerusalem, with 5,000 acres of land scorched, including 3,000 acres of forest. 

Police are said to have three suspects under custody for arson. Initial media reports say they were arrested within several hours of the fires. A police statement on Thursday afternoon revealed that two of the three detainees were residents of East Jerusalem. The first is a 19-year-old detained Thursday for taking to social media to share his wish that God should fan the flames as revenge for Israel’s “destruction of Muslim lands.” The second is a 50-year-old detained on Wednesday for allegedly lighting a fire in an open field in south Jerusalem. It remains unclear what the third detainee was accused of.

When the news of the fire first broke and the skies of Jerusalem became dark with smoke, many of us at Bridges of Peace lifted up prayers for rain alongside the people of Israel. We all breathed a sigh of relief when our prayers were answered with rain showers around Wednesday evening in several locations, including the western Negev. While the rain was certainly an encouraging blessing, it was sadly not widespread enough to reduce the overall risk of the fires.

An unusually dry winter coupled with extremely high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity have all created the perfect storm, meteorologist Oren Davidov of the Meteorological Service told the Jerusalem Post. Firefighters remain in close contact with the Meteorological Service in a bid to contain the crisis and ensure no further outbreaks.

While investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause, authorities believe the devastating fires were the result of terrorist arson attacks. Before the flames, Israel was already facing a tremendous crisis fighting the longest war in its modern history. To make matters worse, social media has been flooded with Palestinians calling on their brethren to ignite even more bushfires around Israel. Hamas, the terror organization ruling the Gaza Strip, broadcast an official clarion call to Palestinians in Israel to burn the country to the ground.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unmasked the evil behind this call. “Our neighbors, who claim they love this land, talk about burning the land.”

Netanyahu’s claim certainly holds true and reveals a glaring issue in the Palestinian narrative. The Palestinians repeatedly cry out that the land belongs to them, yet if you love the land, why burn it?

Bridges for Peace has responded to the fire crisis by partnering with our friends at the Shalva National Center to assist Israelis with special needs being evacuated from their communities. These precious Israelis feel the trauma of displacement keenly and need all the help they can get.

More than ever, we call on Christians from around the world to show their support for Israel during this time of double crisis. Let’s show our Jewish brothers and sisters that we are people of prayer, support and action. Your donation to our Crisis Fund will serve as a tangible blessing demonstrating to Israelis that they are indeed not alone.

By: JNS

Friday, 2 May 2025 | As Israel geared up to celebrate its 77th Independence Day, data released by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics on Monday revealed that the country’s population has reached 10.094 million. This marks a growth of 135,000 people (1.4%) since last year’s holiday.

Of the total population, 7.73 million (77.6%) are Jews or classified as “others,” including non-Arab Christians and individuals without religious classification. Arab citizens account for 2.11 million (20.9%), while foreign workers make up 248,000 (2.5%). In the past year, some 174,000 babies were born, 28,000 new immigrants arrived, and 50,000 people died. The number of Israelis living abroad resulted in a net negative immigration balance of 56,000.

Since the state’s founding in 1948, when the population stood at 806,000, Israel has grown more than twelvefold. More than 3.5 million immigrants have arrived, nearly half of them since 1990. Around 45% of the global Jewish population now resides in Israel, with about 80% of Israeli Jews having been born in the country.

Looking ahead, Israel’s population is projected to reach 15.2 million by its 100th Independence Day in 2048.

The nation remains demographically young, with 27% of residents under age 14 and 13% aged 65 and older.