This report relates to all people arriving in Israel, including those already here who were changing their status, and Israelis who were processed by Aliyah Shlichim (such as returning minors, minors with Israeli citizenship, foreign-born citizens and returning residents)-henceforth "people arriving in Israel" unless otherwise stated. Israelis processed by Aliyah Shlichim were mainly from Western countries.

Between January and October 2004, 17,733 people arrived in Israel under the auspices of the Jewish Agency. Among these 16,679 were immigrants (including those who willingly changed their status and those who have had citizenship conferred on them). The rest were Israelis who were processed by Aliyah Shlichim. This is a decrease of 8% compared to the same period last year.

Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

• Between January and October 2004, 7,904 immigrants arrived from the FSU (making up 45% of the total number of immigrants) a 17% decrease compared to the same period last year. The majority of immigrants coming from the Former Soviet Union are from Russia and Ukraine. 3,103 immigrants arrived from Russia, (an 18% decrease compared to the same period last year) 2,364 immigrants arrived from Ukraine, (an 18% decrease compared to the same period last year).
  
• Between January and October 2004, 269 immigrants arrived from Eastern Europe, compared with 182 immigrants that arrived during the same period last year (an increase of 48%).

• Between January and October 2004, 2,923 people arrived from Western Europe. Of these, 2,434 were immigrants and 489 were Israelis. This is an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. (An increase of 15% in the number of new immigrants and 33% in the number of Israelis).
  
• Between January and October 2004, 2,117 immigrants arrived from France, compared with 1,764 that arrived during the same period last year (an increase of 21%).
  
• Between January and October 2004, 2,148 immigrants and Israelis arrived from North America, compared to 2,181 that arrived during the same period last year (a decrease of 2%).
  
• Between January and October 2004, 1,058 immigrants and Israelis arrived from South America. This is a decrease of 43% as compared to the same period last year. The majority of immigrants from South America come from Argentina, 370 immigrants, and Brazil, 208 immigrants.

1. 4,898 were in absorption centers. 8% of them are participants in the Selah program, 13% are students, 8% are (other) youth, 18% are pre-aliyah registration from Shaliach in Western Countries, and 9% are participants of business programs. 1,711 of the immigrants in absorption centers (35%) are immigrants from Ethiopia.
   
   
2. An additional 4,682 immigrants from Ethiopia were living in additional absorption facilities run by the Jewish Agency for the specific purpose of absorbing the current wave of immigration from Ethiopia.

Last updated: Wednesday, November 17, 2004