Aliyah & Integration
Help for new immigrants
The state should spend far more on new immigrants, even at the cost of other welfare.
New immigrants get a monthly absorption grant for the first months and a free ulpan. Many run out of money before their Hebrew is good enough to work.
What is at stake
New immigrants receive a sal klita — an absorption basket paid monthly over the first months — plus tax breaks and a free ulpan, an intensive Hebrew course lasting several months. The Aliyah and Integration Ministry funds these. Many olim report that the money runs out before their Hebrew is good enough to work.
The case for
- Absorption decides whether an oleh stays. A professional stuck a first year in a low-paid job may never recover the career.
- More ulpan hours, with evening and online classes for those already working, would get olim to employable Hebrew.
- Support that lasts longer pays for itself in taxes collected and in immigrants who stay.
The case against
- Israeli-born families face the same housing costs and get no equivalent grant.
- Veteran olim and low-income citizens ask why the date of arrival should decide who gets help.
- The existing budget is badly spent. Reforming ulpan and employment services would do more for olim than adding money.
Both sides get the same number of points at comparable length. That is a rule of this site, not a coincidence.
What the next Knesset could decide
This is mainly a budget decision. The Knesset sets the Aliyah and Integration Ministry's allocation each year, and the government fixes the size and length of the sal klita and how many ulpan places are funded.