Israelis Who Emigrated Abroad: "We Chose to Leave for a Life Without Fear"

A sense of despair, a loss of trust in the state, the security situation, the cost of living, and the desire to provide children with a safer future are among the primary reasons cited by Israelis who have emigrated abroad. A new and concerning study published on Monday by Tel Aviv University revealed that more than 90,000 Israelis left the country in 2025 for a period of at least three months.

The latest findings reflect a growing trend, with approximately 268,000 Israelis having left the country over the past three years. In interviews with Ynet, those who have emigrated make it clear that they have nothing to apologize for, emphasizing that they were seeking peace and personal security.

Anna Sichaks (42), who emigrated to Portugal in March 2025 with her family, described a range of issues, from homophobic harassment that went unaddressed by authorities to the impact of October 7th. "This is not the atmosphere in which we wanted to raise our daughters. We lost hope for a better future in Israel," she shared. According to Anna, life in Portugal has provided them with a sense of calm and kindness that they felt was missing at home.

Sharon Diner (35), who moved to Prague, also points to economic and security factors: "Since our daughter was born, the state of war has become an unbearable burden. Here in the Czech Republic, we pay less for better housing, and our daughter receives an international education in a supportive environment."

Hadar Tzur (50), who moved to Prague with her daughter, notes that the constant fear was the deciding factor: "It is hard to explain what it is like to live without the constant fear of a terror attack or rocket fire. We were used to living in constant tension, and here, in the quiet of Prague, we are learning to get used to a sense of safety."