Growing concerns about antisemitism and France’s political future are renewing interest in aliyah, but financial uncertainty, housing affordability and employment remain major obstacles.

With France’s 2027 presidential election approaching, some Jewish families are reconsidering their long-term future in the country. Ariel Kendel, head of Qualita, an organization assisting French immigrants in Israel, believes as many as 50,000 French Jews could relocate to Israel over the coming years.

Kendel views the recent political tensions in France as an indication of what may lie ahead during the election campaign.

“What we saw over the past week was just a dress rehearsal for the elections in France in May,” he said.

He is particularly concerned about the prospect of an increasingly bitter contest between left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon and National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. A contentious election outcome, he fears, could lead to extensive demonstrations and further political instability.

May 2, the scheduled date of the presidential runoff, is one potential flashpoint. Kendel said the atmosphere is already causing anxiety within the French Jewish community.

“Already, the situation is causing panic among many Jews,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anyone who isn’t considering immigrating to Israel.”

France has approximately 470,000 Jewish residents, around 200,000 of whom participate actively in organized Jewish communal life. According to Kendel, the possibility of moving to Israel is no longer a subject discussed only within communal organizations; it has increasingly become a consideration for ordinary families.

The potential scale of immigration is not without precedent. Research conducted by Qualita about ten years ago suggested that approximately 50,000 French Jews wanted to make aliyah, and a comparable number eventually moved to Israel. Kendel believes a similar wave could develop again.

He said the challenge is not simply responding to circumstances that encourage people to leave France, but ensuring Israel is prepared to receive them.

“The question is whether we’re preparing for it and doing what we can to make it happen,” he said. “There are factors pushing people out, including antisemitism, economic conditions and political extremism. But it’s up to us to create reasons for them to choose Israel, including better absorption conditions and making the decision easier.”

Kendel said inquiries from prospective immigrants arrive regularly, including from people who are already seriously considering a move.

Robert Ejnes, who leads CRIF, the umbrella body representing French Jewish institutions, previously told ynet that he was unaware of any Jewish family in France that was not discussing the possibility of aliyah.

The Financial Reality of Starting Over

Despite the growing interest, leaving France can mean giving up substantial social benefits and familiar support systems. Establishing a comparable standard of living in Israel can be difficult, particularly because of housing prices and everyday expenses.

Kendel said the assumption that French immigrants are generally wealthy enough to purchase homes in central Tel Aviv is increasingly inaccurate. Many newcomers are middle-income households that must carefully manage their budgets.

As a result, some are considering communities outside Israel’s most expensive and popular cities. Netivot, Sderot, Afula, Hadera and Nahariya are among the alternatives attracting interest. Families arriving from disadvantaged areas around Paris may also turn to immigrant absorption facilities, including a renovated center in Kiryat Gat, as they begin rebuilding their lives.

“Most immigrants are not wealthy people buying apartments in Tel Aviv,” Kendel said. “They’re middle-class families adapting to economic conditions and prices in Israel.”

He argued that practical assistance could make a significant difference. Faster recognition of overseas professional credentials, simpler licensing procedures, job-placement support and help integrating children into Israeli schools could reduce the financial and administrative burdens facing new immigrants.

Although Israel is unlikely to reproduce France’s extensive welfare provisions, Kendel believes focused government programs could make aliyah more manageable.

Anxiety Over Savings and Property

Another issue is adding to prospective immigrants’ concerns: whether political changes in France could eventually complicate their ability to move personal wealth to Israel.

Kendel said some families are worried about the possible consequences of policies associated with Le Pen’s National Rally. The party has promoted a principle known as “national preference,” which would give French citizens priority in areas such as employment, housing and social assistance.

However, the party has not yet published its complete platform for the 2027 election. No confirmed proposal establishing a general ban on lawful transfers of money abroad has been identified. European Union rules generally protect the movement of capital, including transfers involving countries outside the EU.

Even so, Kendel said the uncertainty is prompting people to examine their financial options before making a decision about immigration.

“Many Jews are afraid that history could repeat itself,” he said, drawing a comparison with Jewish communities that left Morocco and other Arab countries after losing property or access to their savings.

One concern involves the proceeds from selling a home in France. Kendel described the possibility that a seller could encounter substantial costs or restrictive procedures when transferring the money to Israel. He said families are also thinking about pensions and other assets accumulated over many years.

Kendel further claimed to have heard reports of French Jewish customers whose bank accounts were blocked after lawful transfers or donations to Israeli organizations. Those accounts have not been independently confirmed.

“That’s exactly what’s happening now,” he said when asked whether people were already seeking ways to move their money. “I’m receiving many calls about it. People are searching for solutions.”

For families with businesses, property or other complicated holdings, relocating funds can involve lengthy procedures even without additional restrictions. Kendel said efforts to prevent illegal financial activity are important, but he is concerned that legitimate transactions could also face excessive scrutiny or administrative delays.

Businesses Could Help Newcomers Establish Themselves

Kendel also sees potential benefits for Israel’s economy if more French Jews immigrate. He cited research suggesting that helping newcomers settle and enter the workforce can produce long-term returns through economic activity, employment and tax contributions.

He estimates that roughly half of French immigrants hold academic degrees. Many also arrive with useful Hebrew and English skills, which can help them find work, enter established companies or develop their own businesses.

Michael Cassar, a partner in the French bakery and café chain Moulin Doré, illustrates one possible route to economic integration. The business has six locations in Israel, supported by a production facility and catering operation.

Cassar said he progressed from managing a branch to becoming a partner. He believes the company’s growth reflects its appeal to Israelis generally, rather than depending solely on customers from France.

“One mistake many new immigrants make is opening businesses that serve only the French community,” he said. “It severely limits their growth and keeps them outside broader Israeli society. You remain trapped in a French bubble.”

The company’s customer base has expanded beyond French-speaking immigrants. Cassar cited a recent bat mitzvah celebration for an Israeli family without French connections that selected catering inspired by Jewish celebrations in Paris.

He now hopes to help other French immigrants enter the business by opening and managing additional branches. His goal, he said, is to find entrepreneurs who can bring French culinary traditions to a broader Israeli audience, rather than relying on outside investors.

“I want to give them the support they need to open and manage new branches,” he said. “There’s enormous potential here, and I want to show people coming from France that they can succeed in Israel.”

Whether the anticipated immigration materializes will depend on developments in France, as well as Israel’s ability to offer newcomers realistic opportunities. For families weighing their options, security and political stability are only part of the calculation; housing, employment, access to savings and the prospects of their children will also shape the decision.