December 27, 2005
JERUSALEM, Dec 27 (AFP) - The number of new immigrants to Israel rose by 4.5 percent in 2005, largely due to large-scale arrivals of Jews from Canada, France and the United States, the Jewish Agency said Tuesday.
Around 23,000 immigrants arrived this year, compared to 22,000 in 2004. Out of the total, 3,052 people came from North America, up from 2,640 last year and an increase of 15 percent -- the highest number in 22 years.
Another 2,980 immigrants came from France, a hike of 23 percent and the most substantial French Jewish immigration to Israel in 33 years.
On the other hand, immigration from countries in the former Soviet bloc declined by 10 percent. Arrivals from Ethiopia remained stable at 3,700 and those coming from South America, up 37.2 percent to 1,850.
The semi-governmental Jewish Agency is in charge of immigration to Israel.
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