Many Israelis are leaving their country and buying real estate in Europe. This is happening because of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Why are Israelis choosing to leave and what they are doing?
Why Are Israelis Leaving?
Since the start of the conflict, about 370,000 Israelis have left the country. This is a lot of people! The aggression on the Gaza Strip has made many Israelis feel unsafe, so they are searching for refuge abroad, especially in Europe. They want to find a place where they can live peacefully.
Escape from War
More than 500,000 Israelis have left the country during the conflict. This is even more than the number of people coming back or immigrating to Israel. The number of people leaving is expected to increase because many Israelis already lived abroad or traveled during the Jewish holidays last September.
Decline in Immigration
The conflict has also affected immigration rates to Israel. Before the conflict, about 4,500 immigrants arrived in Israel every month. But since the conflict started, only about 2,000 immigrants have come. This is a decline of more than 70%! It seems like people are choosing to go elsewhere instead of coming to Israel.
Buying Homes Abroad
Many Israelis are not just leaving temporarily, but they are also buying homes in other countries. They are interested in countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Portugal. These Israelis want to live near other Israelis and have job opportunities.
Stories of Israelis Leaving
For example, Jolie, who is 34 years old, recently moved to Portugal from Ashkelon because of the war. She doesn't plan on going back to Israel. She found a job in Lisbon and wants to live there. Many other Israelis have also left and are living in different rental options.
Interest in Real Estate Abroad
A survey showed that about 20% of families in Israel are interested in buying an apartment outside the country. This is because of the security tension with the Palestinians and the political crisis in Israel. Before the conflict, Greece was the most popular country for real estate investments, followed by the United States, Cyprus, and Portugal.
Work and Permanent Residency
Now, many Israelis are not just looking for tourist apartments, but they want bigger apartments for their families. They are also considering permanent residency in countries like Greece. They want to live among the Jewish community and are exploring options for work and future settlement abroad.
So, as the conflict continues, more and more Israelis are leaving their country and buying real estate in Europe. They are searching for safety and a better future. It will be interesting to see what choices they make and where they decide to settle down.
Source: Al Jazeera
