I recall reading a statistic that in the early 2000s, about 65% of Russian immigrants who left were non-Jews.

The state gives them allowences, and speacial bonuses and other incentives, for returning residents. Soooo what about the ones who never left and stayed thru the thick and thin? Were screwed.

I can really relate, Igor: US-born successful professional, dati, made aliyah at age 50. Big mistake. After 4 years in a 'decent' job, ran into unemployment. And more unemployment. Then some bouts of underemployment. More meager or part-time wages. Couldn't get licensed in his profession here because of BLATANT, STATED age discrimination from age 55-60. No choice but to leave. You either make aliyah at 25 OR 65, but NOT in the midst of your middle age earning years. Family screwed. Life savings gone. Can't even afford a decent used car or a 2 day vacation. And don't tell me about 'Love of Zion'--that's all I dreamed of from age 15-55.

I know several families who left years ago and went to the U.S. They are now crying because their children have almost all married non-Jews, something that probably wouldn't have happened had they stayed in Israel.

All these places Israelis flee to are countries - nations - not destinations - and these nations are filled with patriotic citizens who also serve in the military and pay taxes. When they put in a draft or raise taxes, will the Israelis leave again?

There are no shortage of Jews throughout the world who maintain homes in Israel, and who pay taxes to the State of Israel. If your family and friends do not, then we are well rid of them. Sooner or later, life in the galut will become very difficult for Jews. I have someplace to go. Do your friends and family? Or will they walk into the twenty-first century equivalent of gas chambers? Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. YOU have an option. Do not EVER forget that.

As someone who has met many Russians who have moved to my city in Canada, I have to say I am appalled by some of the behavior I see. They get free access to the JCC for a year, free tuition for their kids at a jewish school and they constantly complain about what they don't get. I have told many, if you don't like it, go back! They put up christmas trees, celebrate christmas and send their kids to church activities.

messiah is coming!

Most of the native Arab population was not expelled.Many left to avoid the Israel War of Independence,others, by the urgings of those who wanted to make the way easier fot the invading Arab armies of Egypt, Lebanon, Trans Jordan(now simply Jordan),Syria and Iraq, and those few who were forced out by the Israeli defense of their homeland. Peace would have avoided a full scale war between Israel and the invaders,but the Arabs wanted the land on which the Jewish State was established and Jewish population destroyed.

So we are turning into Iran? Possibly worse. Victory for the silly people?

Thanks Igor. Appreciate your insights.

If you want money you don't immigrate in Israel Some are more educated than russians, with high scientific level ,coming from France were the life is easy and democratic (not like in soviet union) , were people works 35 hours a week and not 45 like in Israel , they come just to build something , not just to profit. lot of these people who live Israel use outside the knoledges Israel gave them...

The Russian mafia for a start, not to mention alcohol. The Russians who came in the early seventies, who were forced out of jobs and academic institutions for wanting to come here, really were 'the salt of the earth', but with the collaps of the Soviet Union, the floodgates opened in Russia letting out hundreds of thousands looking for handouts here in Israel. While there surely were many good people among them, they brought with them a bad name for drime and drunkenness. Those of us who stay here and make the best of it are a bit fed up of those who complain.

I'm so pleased you left. You gave it two whole years? wow, I'm impressed. Obviously you are just not suited to this country if you can't see the warmth of people in this country.I hope you will be very happy in ant-Semitic Britain which is fast being overrun by Islam. In fact, living in Israel is not only one's right, as a Jew but also a privilege which you don't deserve.

There's more US Jews serving in IDF than US Marines, you figure it out ,...

I wonder if they could attain the education they got for the same price elsewhere? The life skills that IDF gives, all the social rights, medical care and immigrant basket that they got...all for what? I feel that they can leave only because we stay. IMagine if everyone was so shallow? Ashamed of them...

Many people leave the US because they can't make it. Tens of thousands of Eastern Europeans have left the UK and returned home because they could't make it, and masimilarly thousands of British emigres to Spain have gone back to the UK in recent years And you expect Israel to be perfect and keep all its immigrant? Well Israel needs a kick up the ar@e, I agree, but once again may be your expectations are too high.

are stepping towards the Golden Middle way.Bennett is a man of vision and a real leader.

They can always come back to Israel

separateness, shtetl mindsets and the license to cheat and steal from any and everyone...There is no 'empathy in Judaism, no Love in Judaism ..only 'hate for those not like you...in other words hate for all non Jews... But you needed the faux Russian Jews to help build Israel and now you don't like them.....Hahahaha...you're all the same... Let's see if Ynet posts this...bet they wont... TATA

I was going to vote for him but he and Bibi can't stand each other and Yachimovitch says she won't sit in coalition with him. So I'm voting for Bibi. Sad that I can't most using my real name ;-(

I could write a much longer response to this article but will keep in as short as is reasonable. Immigrant's from the Soviet Union that work in hi-tech, are for the most part only second drawer, and their jobs are being taken by Indians. The ex-soviets are good for tracking bugs in a program but are very rarely creative or open start-ups. I am not slandering all Russians here because some are top-notch and the ones that I know that are top notch are not leaving. A huge number from the Soviet Union have no real connection to the land and only came here to improve their lives, and they leave when they see a better economic opportunity. The Soviets brought good things to Israel but they brought violence and alcoholism too. Perhaps sad that I couldn't use my real name when posting?

Didn't Avraham Avinu leave Canaan to go to Mitzraim food? And where did yakov send his sons? Also to Mitzraim! True..these were temporary sojourns but I'm not going to sit here and judge my fellow Jews for moving from Israel.I'll love them all the same. Maybe someday we'll figure out a way to make them all feel welcome, happy,and fullfilled in Israel.It will take TIME.

stay in israel as jews, with jewish descendents, or go abroad and have non-jewish descendents.

if I had a shekel for every talent-less sociology-grad who describes themself as a "highly educated professional", I could throw away my salary. It is not Israel where the Police found it necessary to establish a squad whose sole job is to deal with coerced arranged marriages with foreigners. Enjoy your life there in Islamabad North

LA is the single biggest destination for yordim. It is no Garden of Eden, that's why the native-born Angelenos run away to Nevada! Get ahold of the Hebrew magazine published in LA ("We are in America" is its name), you will see from the adverts and the articles that many yordim have merely left MiddleEast rat-race to go to a more dangerous HispanicAfrican one.

I thought Lieberman wanted to offer money to people when they leave Israel. Or did I get this wrong?

If he's here tell him he should call me before he visits me. No visits before 10am. I expect a gift (at least a bottle of Chianti), clean shoes and a clean shave. Seeing a full beard makes me always feel uncomfortable. I always think on food rests or little animals hiding there.

Of course there was no Organized Crime in Israel before 1990. You are kidding, right? Names like Benjamin Siegel or Mayer Lansky are neither Russian nor Italian.