כיכר השבת

First Post–October 7 Charter Lands in Israel: 225 New Olim Welcomed

A historic Nefesh B’Nefesh charter flight (#65) touched down at Ben Gurion Airport this morning, carrying 225 new immigrants from the U.S. and Canada—the first such flight since October 7. Passengers included 45 families, 125 children, 10 singles, and 3 retirees, ranging in age from 9 months to 72 years. Among them were five physicians and 19 other healthcare professionals ready to join Israel’s hospitals and clinics. Officials piloted a program issuing Israeli IDs mid-flight, allowing families to arrive as citizens on paper, immediately prepared for ulpan classes, schooling, and work. August is set to see more than 1,000 North American olim arrive, the highest monthly total in over two decades, as post–October 7 intentions finally turn into plane tickets. Since October, over 7,000 North Americans have made Aliyah.