Three Jews “made Aliyah” from Japan
A new immigrant touches the promised land (Photo: AFP)
In 2009, for the first time in a decade, the number of immigrants to Israel rose from the previous year. Approximately 16,200 immigrants arrived in Israel from around the world over the last year, marking a 17% percent rise from 2008 when 13,860 immigrants made Aliyah, according the Jewish Agency and Israel’s Ministry of Immigration Absorption.
Noteworthy immigration includes Aliyah from countries with very small Jewish communities. In 2009, the figures included: 3 from Japan, 3 from China, 2 from Honduras, and one from each of the following countries – Martinique, Madagascar, Kenya and Taiwan. 4 others preferred Israel to Hong Kong, and a similar number came from the Island of Mauritius.
