Adv. Avichai Kahana attends the Jerusalem Post Washington Conference with a notably urgent message, even for a nation accustomed to urgency. As the Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, he aims to fundamentally reshape how aliyah is discussed in Israel, with Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer’s vision leading the way. He emphasizes that it’s not merely a nostalgic reflection on the past but a strategic element vital for the country’s future. Kahana believes aliyah has historically been more than a moral duty; it has been the driving force behind Israel’s development. He now insists that aliyah must become a core aspect of national policy, as important as economic reforms or security efforts. Israel should view itself not just as a homeland but as an attractive destination for global talent to shape its future.
This goes beyond mere talk. Under Kahana’s leadership, the Ministry has adopted a proactive, even competitive approach toward global human capital. He describes the Ministry as if it were Israel’s national HR department, constantly seeking out the world's brightest minds, skills, and aspirations aligned with the country’s long-term objectives. Rather than waiting for olim to arrive naturally, the Ministry now actively recruits for key professions – medicine, engineering, AI, and data science – targeting the specialists behind these fields. Israel, he argues, should be as deliberate and strategic as any top global employer searching for its next breakthrough.
This transformation is reflected in concrete figures. Over 500 physicians made aliyah to Israel in 2024 through a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Health, the Jewish Agency, Nefesh B’Nefesh, and regional authorities in the Negev and Galilee. These doctors don’t merely filling vacancies, but bolstering communities outside Israel’s main urban centers, stabilizing regional healthcare services, and fostering growth in areas poised for future expansion.
Aliyah trends have also shifted significantly, as the war in Ukraine triggered a rise in Aliyah from Russia and Ukraine between 2022 and 2023. Since October 7, another wave has arisen, this time from Western Europe, the U.S., and the UK. The Ministry, per Minister Ofir Sofer’s policies, reports not only more olim but an even sharper increase in inquiries and application files, indicating a rising global interest in establishing roots in Israel amid widespread reevaluation of community, identity, and purpose.
Kahana recognizes a deep significance in this trend – more than families seeking stability and long-standing Zionists following inherited ideals, Israel is drawing young professionals who view the country as a place where their skills can make real change. They will be the nation’s future engineers, startup founders, doctors, and researchers, arriving not only because Israel is their homeland but because it is a destination of opportunity.
To support their integration, Ofir Sofer’s Ministry has enacted broad reforms to transform aliyah from an act of bravery into a practical, accessible pathway. New systems are shortening licensing timelines so that doctors, accountants, and engineers can begin contributing immediately upon arrival. Investment incentives and revised tax policies are easing the financial transition. Housing aid is being targeted to the northern and southern regions, fostering new communities where it can have the most significant impact. A more holistic absorption process recognizes that integration involves social, communal, and personal dimensions.
In this context, Kahana’s upcoming appearance in Washington is poised to be a crucial moment. As global Jewish communities reassess their direction, Israel faces its post-conflict reality, and the world’s talent competition intensifies, he will present a vision that balances practicality with aspiration. He will argue that Israel is not just welcoming new olim, it is inviting partners to build the nation.
In his words, the mission can be summed up concisely: “We are not just bringing people, we are rebuilding the State of Israel. Human capital drives this country, and Aliyah propels it forward.” The Jerusalem Post Washington Conference will be led by Ronald S. Lauder, President of the
World Jewish Congress. Lauder has accepted this role with a deep sense of mission and Commitment, to strengthen Israel’s standing on the international stage and deepen the bond between the Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
Written in collaboration with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration