Israeli tech entrepreneurs and engineers from major companies like Google and Microsoft are finding refuge in Europe
For decades, Israel has been celebrated as a global innovation hub, dubbed the “Startup Nation” for its groundbreaking technology and medical advances. But the events of October 7, 2023 and the bloody conflicts that followed with Gaza, Lebanon and Iran caused a profound change in the mentality of many Israelis. What began as a mass exodus driven by immediate security concerns has evolved into a broader emigration pattern, with waves of Israel’s top talent seeking refuge and stable in Europe and beyond.
The numbers tell the story: 285% increase
According to the report, immediately after October 7, the number of Israelis leaving the country permanently increased by a staggering 285%. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Although this rate has stabilized, the flow of Israelis leaving the country remains significant, underscoring deeper concerns about safety, governance and social cohesion. The migration trend predated the war, with the departure rate rising 51% in the months leading up to the October 7 attacks, amid widespread protests against the country’s controversial judicial reform. government.
Notably, the demographic profile of those leaving shows the departure of Israel’s most highly educated and economically active citizens. The data shows that many are married professionals working in technology, medicine, academia, and business—sectors important to the Israeli economy.
For Jewish Israelis, ancestral passports—mainly from Germany, Poland, and other European countries—allow them to travel more easily to the European Union. Germany and Portugal have emerged as top, attractive destinations thanks to their strong economies and political stability.
Tech talent in transit
For Israel’s burgeoning tech sector, this wave of migration is having a ripple effect globally. The country has long been a hub for Fortune Global 500 giants like Google, Microsoft and Intel, which operate thriving offices in Tel Aviv and beyond. Employees at these companies often have the advantage of moving to international offices, allowing them to move quickly to other hubs in popular destination countries such as the UK.
The movement of tech workers is key for experts like Shlomy Green, a software engineer who said he and his family left Israel on the day of the October 7 attack. so frightened by the ongoing attacks that they boarded one of the last flights to Cyprus earlier. midday. “We felt like we were running away. Basically, we were just grateful that we left in time,” Green told NPR. “We want to feel safe and secure in our homes. And we are not willing to compromise on that.”
This phenomenon is not limited to Jewish Israelis. Arab Israelis, who have traditionally faced economic and social challenges, are also expressing a growing desire to emigrate. A recent report from Ruppin Academic Center found that this sentiment had doubled to 14% of all Arab Israelis as of October 7. However, for Arab Israelis who lack the dual citizenship that many Jewish Israelis possess, leaving is a more complicated endeavor.
Silent departure
In particular, doctors are among the professionals who quietly leave. Amid ongoing security risks and uncertainty about Israel’s future, many are choosing to move to Europe, where overburdened healthcare systems are actively recruiting practitioners skilled from abroad.
“I feel like something is happening to us that has never happened before, something different from what happened during the judicial reform period. [protests in 2023].” Professor Gil Fire, an internist and senior administrator at one of Israel’s largest hospitals, said in an interview with Haaretz. “People are embarrassed because [leaving the country]they are disguising it. But this departure is large-scale and meaningful. I call it ‘the silent departure’, because most of them said they intended to return.”
Cyprus: Safety valve
For Israelis unable or unwilling to leave permanently, neighboring Cyprus has become a paradise. The Mediterranean island has long been a favorite of Israeli real estate investors, and the huge upheavals of the past year have only heightened interest. Limassol, a coastal city popular with Israelis, has seen real estate prices skyrocket as buyers seek second homes for security and stability.
Rising property prices have sparked reactions from locals, with some Cypriots expressing frustration at being priced out of their market. “We feel like foreigners in our city. The Israelis and Russians have pushed up prices and we cannot compete,” said a local resident. Times of Israel.
Departure costs
The broader implications of this wave of migration are profound. Israel risks significant brain drain and potential pressure on its tax base as some of its brightest and highest-earning citizens seek opportunities abroad.
The political and social consequences could be far-reaching, as recent trends show that secular and liberal Israelis, disillusioned with the country’s direction, are most likely to emigrate. change the voting bloc and extend the current right-wing dominance of Israeli politics.
Many Israelis rejected the departure of their compatriots and pointed to the wave of immigration into the country since the October 7 attacks; tens of thousands Immigrants—mainly from Russia—continue to move to Israel, contributing to complex migration dynamics. Others worry that once reservists called to serve in ongoing conflicts return home, there could be a wave of Israelis moving to more stable countries.
Professor Karin Amit, head of the Department of Economics and Business Administration at the Ruppin Academic Center, contextualized this wave of migration to Ynet: “In times of war or threat, there is always a feeling of solidarity… Of course, we will need to look at this in the medium term and also see what happens economy post-war – an important factor in migration decisions.”
For Israel, the challenge ahead is clear: how to retain talent and restore a sense of security to those who call it home. How and when the conflicts facing Israel end will be a key factor in determining whether current migration trends are a temporary spike or a permanent change. long into the country’s future or not.
