Migrants in israel

Israel imports record foreign workforce to replace Palestinians, but housing crisis looms

Israel now has 250,000 legal and illegal foreign workers, the highest number ever, according to Israel Population and Immigration Authority figures, with more to come.

AUGUST 24, 2026|ByYUVAL NISANI/GLOBES/TNS

Foreign workers seen working in a field near the Ben Gurion Airport, on August 14, 2025.

People watch the military airshow as part of Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, in Saker Park, Jerusalem, April 26, 2023.

Israel's population hits 10 million people before 2025

Population in Israel grows by 1.1% in 2024 as record emigration and deaths impact growth, a Central Bureau of Statistics report found.

DECEMBER 31, 2024|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Thai workers in Otef. "The Thais call and want to return, but no one here handles the procedure"

Thailand names four Thai nationals killed by Hezbollah rocket fire

A series of launches that had allegedly fallen into "open areas" had actually fallen into agricultural sites in the region.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024|ByJOANIE MARGULIES

An empty migrant boat washed up on Israel's Mediterranean shore on October 1, 2023

Abandoned boat with Somali belongings found on Israeli shore

The migrants in question are not believed to have come onto land, but are believed to have drowned.

OCTOBER 1, 2023|ByJOANIE MARGULIES

Learning to cope

Migrants from the Holot detention facility are training to teach English at the nearby Nitzana educational youth village.

DECEMBER 25, 2014ByTAMARA ZIEVE, LAUREN IZSO

Migrants eat dinner outside the Holot open detention facility.

State announces new migrant policy: Detention in Holot for maximum of 20 months

After High Court shot down previous versions of migrant detention policy, state shortens maximum holding time for migrants.

NOVEMBER 19, 2014ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

AFRICAN MIGRANTS sit on pipes outside Holot, a detention centre in Israel’s southern Negev desert.

Border patrol, IDF soldier arrested for allegedly robbing foreign workers

3 suspects suspected of approaching an as yet unidentified construction site, handcuffing the workers at gun point and stealing their money and property.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

Government grants asylum to two Eritreans amid migrant protests

Interior Ministry says mens' cases had been considered "for close to a year," unrelated to protests or UN criticism.

JANUARY 26, 2014ByREUTERS