About 1,000 foreign residents, tourists and recent immigrants attended a real estate and aliyah fair in Jerusalem this week, where organizers said rising antisemitism abroad is contributing to increased interest in buying homes and relocating to Israel.
The event, held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem during Sukkot and organized by the Israeli Building Center, brought together residential developers, government agencies and service providers offering information for prospective immigrants and new arrivals.
Visitors were able to review housing projects across Israel and receive guidance from representatives of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, health funds and other organizations involved in the immigration and settlement process.
Organizers presented the turnout as evidence of growing interest among Jews abroad in establishing a home in Israel, particularly amid reports of increased antisemitism in Europe, Britain and the United States.
Yehuda, a visitor from London, said he and his family had been looking for an opportunity to buy a home in Israel and make aliyah.
“We've been looking for the right opportunity to buy a home in Israel and make the long-awaited move of aliyah,” he said. “The expo brought everything together for us under one roof, from real estate to aliyah rights. Rising antisemitism worldwide only solidifies our belief that our true, safe home is right here.”
Tova, who immigrated from New York two months ago, said she came to the fair in search of a permanent home.
“We came here to find our permanent home,” she said. “Seeing crowds of people just like us here, all looking for a place in Israel, is deeply moving and shows that we're part of a massive movement back home.”
Looking at floor plans
( Photo: Israeli Building Center )
Another visitor, Yosef, who traveled to Jerusalem for the holiday, said the international climate had prompted him to consider longer-term options in Israel.
“We came for a holiday visit to Jerusalem, but you can't turn a blind eye to what's happening globally,” he said. “I came to the fair to look at concrete options — where we can invest and where we might live in the near future. The sense of safety and belonging we feel in Israel, especially during tense times like these, simply exists nowhere else.”
Eran Rolls, chairman of the Israeli Building Center, said the organization sees growing demand among Jewish families abroad considering relocation to Israel.
“Yesterday proved once again, in the most tangible way possible, that the Jewish people want to come home,” Rolls said. “Soaring antisemitism in the streets of Europe and the U.S. is leading tens of thousands of families to realize that their safest and most natural place is right here.”
He added that demand was “steadily mounting” and said the organization’s goal was to help prospective immigrants navigate the housing and relocation process.
The fair took place amid heightened public attention surrounding a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which organizers cited as part of a broader atmosphere of tension. They said the strong turnout despite those concerns reflected continued interest in aliyah and property purchases in Israel.