A Jewish family from Sydney, Australia, became the first family to make aliyah in 2026, landing at Ben-Gurion Airport on January 1 and receiving Israeli ID cards upon arrival, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry announced on Thursday.
The Zaks family includes father Trevor, mother Dalit, and daughter Ashira. Their son, Levi Zaks, immigrated earlier and has joined the IDF, according to the ministry.
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer congratulated the family, saying their decision to move to Israel, while their son serves in uniform, is “heartening and encouraging.” He said the ministry is working to encourage aliyah from Australia and has taken, and will continue to take, significant steps to support newcomers.
Recent government initiatives have focused on easing absorption for families and professionals and on financial steps to support newcomers.
“Olim come here because of their solidarity with Israel,” Sofer has said in recent interviews, adding that reforms are intended to make the process smoother for young families. “The choice of the Zaks family to make aliyah, especially as their son serves in the IDF, is heartening and encouraging,” he said.
Over 20,000 new olim in 2025
According to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency, Israel ended 2025 with some 21,900 immigrants from 105 countries.
The agencies said France and the United Kingdom posted the sharpest growth in arrivals, while Russia remained the top source country despite a large year-over-year decline. The data were released against the backdrop of the war and rising antisemitism overseas, according to the ministry and the Jewish Agency.
Russia led with about 8,300 olim, a drop of roughly 57% from last year’s 19,500. The United States sent 4,150 olim, up 12% from 2024. France saw an estimated 45% jump to roughly 3,300 arrivals, and the UK rose for a second straight year to 840, up 19% from 2024.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
