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Since the October 7, 2023 attack, approximately 75% of Israelis living abroad surveyed by the World Zionist Organization reported a sense of belonging and identification with the Israeli community in the Diaspora – a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Similarly, around 50% of respondents expressed a sense of belonging to the local Jewish community where they are living in the Diaspora, also reflecting a 10% increase.
The Department for Organization and Connection with Israelis in the Diaspora of the WZO, led by Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, released the new findings based on a special survey conducted among Israelis living abroad. The survey, carried out in October 2024, examines the feelings of Israelis in the Diaspora one year after the October 7 attack, focusing on the impact of recent events on their sense of belonging, emotional needs and social connections.
Despite the increase in positive feelings on behalf of the Israelis living in the Diaspora toward the Israeli and Jewish communities, only about 20% of Israelis living abroad said they experience positive relations with their surroundings, marking a 50% drop compared to the same period last year. This decline is attributed to an increased perception of hostility, insecurity and diminished support from local governments and communities.
Half of the respondents reported feeling uncomfortable identifying as Israelis in settings outside their close social circles. This discomfort arises from personal fears, social challenges and a growing sense of vulnerability in their local environments.
According to the survey, only 40% of respondents view Israel as a safe place to live, while 60% believe the Diaspora offers greater security. Additionally, only 20% of Israelis abroad are not considering returning to Israel. In a related survey on attitudes toward Israelis and Jews in the diaspora after October 7, about 70% of respondents indicated they are not considering moving abroad, while roughly 50% supported increased investment in securing Jewish institutions worldwide.
Yehoshua-Braverman commented on remarks made by Likud member of Knesset Dudi Amsalem, in which he said that Israelis who have left the country after October 7 are not Zionists. "This message crosses oceans and borders. This is not the right message to send. After October 7, Israelis were our extended hand in the Diaspora, helping us in so many ways including increasing awareness, so I see a big opportunity for Jews and Israelis to collaborate, to create better Jewish continuity in the Diaspora.
"At the same time, I'm calling upon our government and Israelis to be more sensitive to what we say and what messages we deliver to our brothers and sisters in Israel. We need to embrace them, not expect them to embrace us," she added.
Yehoshua-Braverman also commented on the sense of insecurity among Diaspora Jews. "In today’s global era, Israel is no longer just a matter of geography. The general sentiment among Israelis living abroad mirrors the feeling in Israel: a heavy cloud of worry over the future, both in Israel and globally. The Israelis who participated in the survey expressed fear, sadness and alarm at the new reality that has emerged since October 7.
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"At the same time, the research highlights an opportunity to strengthen the connection between Israeli and Jewish communities. Here in Israel, we must recognize the immense asset we have in the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who care deeply about Israel’s future and well-being. It’s vital to maintain an ongoing dialogue and foster cooperation with Israelis living abroad. Ultimately, the interest is shared, and everyone understands that Israel is their true home," she said.