Smotrich outlines 10-year plan to bring one million olim from North America, Europe - interview

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has unveiled a sweeping ten-year initiative aimed at bringing one million Jewish immigrants from North America and Europe to Israel, according to an interview published by The Jerusalem Post. The plan includes proposals to streamline the allocation of land and housing for these newcomers, bypassing Israel's current tender processes. Smotrich outlined the strategy in a discussion with the newspaper earlier this week, emphasizing the need to prioritize aliyah, Jewish immigration, to the same extent as previous government efforts focused on security and settlements. Smotrich stated that he had shared the initial framework of the plan with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approximately six weeks prior. He argued that while the government has invested heavily in security and settlement expansion, aliyah has been overlooked. “We now need to treat aliyah with the same level of commitment, funding, and urgency as we did with security and settlement policies,” he said. At the core of the proposal is a revival of large-scale public construction reminiscent of initiatives launched by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the 1990s. These programs facilitated the integration of hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the former Soviet Union by providing housing and infrastructure. However, Smotrich noted resistance within the Finance Ministry itself, where professionals have voiced opposition to the plan. “They disagree with it in the Finance Ministry,” he admitted, though he insisted that the goal of attracting immigrants justifies the push despite internal dissent. A key legislative component of the plan involves exempting community absorption projects from standard tender and planning procedures. This would enable the government to allocate entire neighborhoods or blocks of buildings to incoming immigrant groups, designed in collaboration with developers and the communities themselves. Such developments would include schools, synagogues, and other communal facilities. Currently, Israeli land allocation follows strict tender rules based on equal access, which Smotrich claims prevents such targeted allocations. French Jewish communities were highlighted as a potential model for the initiative, given their robust communal structures. Smotrich proposed appealing to such groups by offering them the opportunity to relocate as cohesive units. “Come with your rabbi, come with your school, come with your community,” he said, suggesting that maintaining cultural continuity would be a priority. Smotrich emphasized that the plan aims to integrate new residents into established urban areas rather than creating isolated enclaves. He warned against the risk of linguistic fragmentation, stating, “You do not want them speaking French here in a hundred years.” His vision combines economic incentives with ideological goals, framing the initiative as an investment rather than a financial burden. He pointed to historical precedent, citing how Israel’s population and economy expanded significantly following the influx of a million immigrants in the 1990s. In addition to the broader immigration strategy, Smotrich detailed several measures already implemented during his tenure. One includes a five-year tax exemption for new immigrants, offering up to NIS 1 million per spouse on income earned in Israel. Another measure involves reforms to the taxation of venture capital and hedge funds, developed in consultation with international financial experts. This effort seeks to align Israeli tax rates with those in New York and Florida, although the proposal remains pending further parliamentary approval. A third initiative focuses on recognizing professional qualifications obtained abroad before immigration, rather than after arrival. Smotrich noted that around 1,600 doctors from North America are currently immigrating under this revised system, streamlining their transition into the Israeli workforce. The Finance Minister’s ambitious plan reflects a strategic attempt to address demographic and economic challenges facing Israel. By targeting specific diaspora communities and offering tailored incentives, Smotrich hopes to reverse declining immigration trends and stimulate long-term growth. His approach underscores a belief that integrating large numbers of skilled and motivated immigrants could alleviate labor shortages and bolster the nation’s economic trajectory.