‘Entire Emigration Movement’: 200,000 Zionist Settlers Depart Since 2023

During a special Knesset debate on Monday, attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair Lapid delivered his remarks.

Citing official data, Lapid reported that the scale and characteristics of those departing indicated an escalating crisis related to the cost of living, governance, and trust in the future of the Zionist regime.

The central bureau of statistics has released new data indicating a significant trend of negative migration over the past three years, with 200,000 individuals having departed in that timeframe, according to a recent statement.

Lapid referenced data from CBS, revealing that in the past year alone, 69,300 settlers had departed. These individuals were mainly young, educated, and employed, contributing to tax revenues and serving in the military reserves.

Based on recent data, the past year saw the departure of 875 physicians and 3,000 engineers from the Israeli-occupied territories. The opposition leader characterized these individuals as the “backbone” of the regime, emphasizing their crucial role in sustaining it.

He characterized the situation as “a comprehensive emigration movement,” fueled by hopelessness, and warned that numerous individuals have “lost faith” in the future of the unlawful entity.

An official attributed the increase in negative migration to the cost-of-living crisis, criticizing Netanyahu and his administration for disregarding daily economic challenges. Meanwhile, they continue to allocate billions of shekels each year to draft exemptions and coalition funding.

He stated that the cost of living is leading to the downfall of an entire generation of Israelis, criticizing the cabinet for its inability to tackle issues related to housing, education, and economic insecurity.

He criticized the cabinet for pushing forward legislation concerning military draft exemptions amid ongoing conflicts that have resulted in Israeli soldiers being killed and injured.

In recent developments, statements from Lapid have resonated with findings from a report delivered to the Knesset’s immigration and absorption committee. The report highlighted a net migration loss exceeding 125,000 Israeli settlers from early 2022 until August 2024.

Data from the Knesset Research and Information Center reveals a significant increase in the departure of Israeli settlers. In 2022, around 59,400 left, with the number rising to a record 82,800 in 2023. In the first eight months of 2024, an additional 50,000 settlers have reportedly departed.

The report detailed the timeframe as experiencing the most significant loss of human capital ever recorded in such a brief period. Committee Chairman MK Gilad Kariv described this trend as “a tsunami of Israelis choosing to leave.”

The committee’s report highlighted that the rise in permanent departures aligned with the period of genocide that commenced on October 7, 2023, persisting until a tenuous ceasefire was established in early October.

The findings presented to lawmakers indicate that the trend is projected to continue through 2025.

Israel’s economic publication Calcalist presented a more somber view of the ongoing crisis, reporting on Tuesday that the region is confronted with an escalating brain drain as a significant number of highly skilled professionals, notably from the high-tech industry, are departing from the occupied territories.

A report from the newspaper indicates that a significant number of the 69,000 Israeli settlers who emigrated in 2025 were employed in sectors such as technology and advanced industries.

According to Calcalist, the magnitude and demographics of the departures highlight a pressing challenge for the administration anticipated to assume power following Israel’s 2026 elections.

A publication emphasized that the foremost priority for the forthcoming administration should be to halt the significant outflow of negative migration from Israel.

According to Calcalist, it has become apparent that a significant portion of those emigrating are high-tech professionals, who are inherently more adaptable and capable of securing employment overseas without the need to reference official statistics.

Executives within Israel’s technology sector have reported a significant increase in employee requests to relocate abroad. This trend has been rising since the inception of the nation’s political and legal challenges and has accelerated in the wake of the recent conflict.

According to a report, Nadav Tzafrir, the former commander of Israel’s elite military intelligence Unit 8200 and now the chief executive of cybersecurity company Check Point, issued a warning last week. He identified the emigration of skilled workers as the principal threat to Israel’s high-tech sector and broader economic landscape, surpassing concerns over artificial intelligence and technological disruption.

Tzafrir highlighted concerns over the potential exodus of skilled professionals, emphasizing that the primary threat to both the high-tech sector and the Israeli economy is the brain drain.

The high-tech industry is a pivotal component of Israel’s economy, contributing substantially to the nation’s exports, tax income, and private-sector salaries.

According to Calcalist, the exit of seasoned professionals poses a threat to the sector’s capacity to cultivate new enterprises, mentor emerging talent, and maintain sustained growth over the long term.

The newspaper highlighted the wider economic ramifications, emphasizing that the capital generated by high-tech professionals bolsters consumption, real estate, and services, thereby rejuvenating sectors grappling with stagnation. It cautioned that a prolonged exodus of talent could jeopardize these ancillary benefits.