The joint US-Israeli operation against Iran has the ability not only to “deliver a severe blow” that could topple the Islamic regime, but the partnership could also significantly increase aliyah rates, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
“I think that the fact that Israel is attacking together with the United States, the two strongest air forces in the world working together, creates a sense of Israeli pride.”
“It gives honor and legitimacy to the State of Israel, and it undoubtedly also influences people’s desire to be part of what is happening here,” Sofer told the Post.
Regarding the possibility of toppling the regime during the war, Sofer said he believes Israel could succeed in delivering a severe blow, which could ultimately remove it from power.
“It’s clear that a serious and devastating blow to the Iranian regime could also affect its stability and its ability to continue functioning,” he explained.
The aliyah minister emphasized that Israel should also take the opportunity in this operation to eliminate Hezbollah, which has joined Iran in the war.
“I think this campaign must end in a way that removes the threat against us, including ending the Hezbollah threat from Lebanon, from the northern front.”
There has been much speculation as to how long the war will last. Sofer told the Post that no one can know what the timeframe will be.
“We understand that there could be a very intense campaign lasting several weeks. It could also be shorter or longer. But we all understand that the achievements so far are significant,” he said.
Sofer explained that the Aliyah and Integration Ministry was working to provide support to new immigrants to the country who were experiencing war for the first time.
“There are different departments. We have a broad immigrant population, so I can’t say we are directly involved with everyone, but in certain cases we definitely are, especially olim who arrived recently.”
He added, “We operate something like a call center that reaches out to people, checks in with them, and makes sure everything is okay and that they are feeling alright.”
Aliyah plans postponed, not canceled, due to Operation Roaring Lion
For those abroad scheduled to make aliyah this month, Sofer said their plans had not been canceled due to the war, but rather, postponed.
“We have spoken with immigrants who were supposed to arrive in the past two weeks. The understanding is that people are not canceling their aliyah, they are simply postponing it,” he said.
Despite the ongoing war in the country, over 300 new aliyah files were opened in the first week of Operation Roaring Lion, according to The Jewish Agency and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry.
Sofer explained that the opening of these immigration files in the first days of the war reflects “desire and motivation” for Jews around the world to be part of Israel.
“It’s not only fear of antisemitism abroad but also a sense of pride, belonging, and solidarity,” he noted.
“We saw this most prominently after the Six Day War, but also after the Yom Kippur War. We have also seen this trend since October 7. And without a doubt, the strategic shift against Iran could bring a major development for the Jewish people as a whole.”
“We are preparing, as much as possible, for the moment when flights resume so that we can restart aliyah in an organized way.” Addressing why Jews continue to make aliyah amid the war, he suggested: “People come because they see hope.”
“They see the strategic change and the place where the State of Israel is today. And I believe that is why people are still willing to come and build their lives here,” Sofer concluded.