Making Aliyah-Overview Of the Main Migrations Making Aliyah to Israel

First Migration Making Aliyah

The First Aliyah was a result of anti-Semitic violence in Russia in 1881-1882. On July 6, 1882, the first group of 14 Biluim arrived at Jaffa port. The majority of immigrants came from Eastern Europe, while a small number arrived from Yemen. Hibbat Zion and Bilu were early Zionist movements that played a central role in the First Aliyah, and their aim was to revive the Jewish people politically, nationally, and spiritually in Palestine.

Although they were inexperienced, the settlers chose to establish agricultural settlements based on the principle of private property. They founded moshavot, or farmholders' villages, and Rishon Lezion, Rosh Pina, and Zichron Ya’akov were among the first to be established.

The settlers of the First Aliyah faced many challenges, including a harsh climate, illness, heavy Turkish taxation, and opposition from Arab communities. They required assistance, and while they received some support from Hibbat Zion, Baron Edmond de Rothschild provided them with substantial aid, including economic assistance and patronage. This helped the moshavot avoid collapse. The Yemenite olim settled primarily in Jerusalem and were initially employed as construction workers before moving on to work in the citrus plantations of the moshavot.

In total, approximately 35,000 Jews immigrated to Palestine during the First Aliyah. Nearly half of them left the country within several years of their arrival. About 15,000 established new rural settlements, while the rest moved to urban areas.

Second Aliyah Migration

The Second Aliyah had a significant impact on the development of modern Jewish settlement in Palestine, following violent attacks on Jews in Czarist Russia and a surge in anti-Semitism. The majority of those who participated were young people who were motivated by socialist ideals. This period saw the creation of numerous models and components of rural settlement, such as "national farms" that provided training for rural settlers, the first kibbutz (Degania, established in 1909), and Ha-Shomer, which was the first Jewish self-defense organization in Palestine. The establishment of the Ahuzat Bayit neighborhood as a Jaffa suburb marked the beginning of Tel Aviv, which became the first modern all-Jewish city. Additionally, Hebrew language, literature, and newspapers were revived, and political parties and workers' agricultural organizations were formed. These pioneers laid the groundwork for the yishuv (Jewish community) to move toward independence.

During this period, approximately 40,000 Jews immigrated, but due to challenges with absorption and the lack of a stable economic base, almost half of them left.

Third Aliyah Migration To Israel

About 40,000 Jewish Immigrants arrived during the Third Aliyah (1919-1923) which was a significant period in the history of Jewish immigration to then Palestine; it marked the continuation of the Zionist movement and the establishment of a more organized and cohesive Jewish community in the region. The influx of young pioneers from Eastern Europe, many of whom were inspired by the socialist ideals of the time, helped to lay the foundations for a strong Jewish presence in Palestine.

Despite the challenges posed by the British Mandatory regime and the restrictions imposed on immigration, the yishuv (the Jewish community in Palestine) continued to grow during this period (numbering close to 100,000 Jews), with significant developments in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. The establishment of the General Federation of Labour (Histadrut) and other representative institutions helped to gel the community and provide unity.

Overall, the Third Aliyah (was a crucial period in the history of the Jewish people and the Zionist movement, paving the way for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The commitment and dedication of the pioneers who settled in Palestine during this period helped to build the foundations of a vibrant and resilient Jewish homeland in the Middle East.

Fourth Aliyah Migration to Israel

The Fourth Aliyah (1924-29) resulted in 82,000 Jewish immigrants settling in then Palestine, with about 20,000 departing at a later time. This Aliya occurred due to economic turmoil and anti-Semitic policies in Poland, as well as strict immigration restrictions enforced by the United States. The majority of the immigrants were from the middle class and arrived with limited funds, using them to establish small businesses and workshops, which contributed to the growth of Tel Aviv. Despite the economic difficulties faced by the yishuv during the 1926-1928 crisis, the Fourth Aliyah played a major role in reinforcing the towns, enabling industrial development, and reintroducing Jewish labour to the villages.

Fifth Aliyah Migration to Israel

The Nazi rise to power in Germany in 1933 marked a significant event during the fifth aliyah wave. This led to an increase in persecution and deteriorating conditions for the Jewish population, resulting in a surge in aliyah from Germany and the resumption of aliyah from Eastern Europe. Many of the immigrants from Germany were professionals, and their impact was felt across various fields. Over a span of four years (1933-1936), 174,000 Jews settled in the country, leading to the establishment of new industrial enterprises and the completion of the Haifa port and oil refineries, which helped the towns flourish. Additionally, many "stockade and tower" settlements were established throughout the country during this period.

However, the Jewish population faced violent Arab attacks twice, in 1929 and again in 1936-39. These attacks were referred to as "disturbances" by the British government, which imposed restrictions on immigration, leading to clandestine, illegal immigration referred to as Aliyah Bet.

By 1940, the yishuv's population had reached 450,000, with nearly 250,000 Jews arriving during the fifth aliyah (1929-39). The practice of numbering the waves of immigration stopped, although aliyah continued to take place.

Aliyah Bet Migration to Israel

During World War II, the focus of the aliyah (immigration) effort was to rescue Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe. While some olim entered the country legally on visas issued under the White Paper quota, the majority arrived as illegal immigrants, known as Ma’apilim. This form of immigration, referred to as Aliyah Bet (1939-48), arrived by both land and sea, in defiance of the British Mandatory government's orders, from Europe and the Middle East.

Following the end of World War II until the establishment of Israel in 1948, illegal immigration became the primary method of immigration due to the British quota, which allowed for only 18,000 immigrants per year, virtually eliminating the option of legal immigration.

Between 1944 and 1948, Jews in Eastern Europe sought to leave the continent by any means possible. The Beriha (escape) organization was established with the cooperation of emissaries from the yishuv, Jewish partisans, and Zionist youth movements, which helped nearly 200,000 Jews escape Europe, with the majority settling in Palestine.

"Illegal" immigration (Ha’apala) was also organized by the Mossad L’aliyah Bet, a branch of the Haganah, with the Palyam, a marine branch of the Palmach, responsible for commanding and sailing ships.

However, due to the loss of contact with European countries, the risks of maritime travel under wartime conditions, and the difficulty in obtaining vessels for transport of illegal immigrants, Aliyah Bet faced severe constraints. Although 66 illegal immigration sailings carrying 70,000 immigrants were organized during these years, only a few managed to evade the British blockade and bring their passengers ashore. In 1947, the mandatory government sent over 4,500 immigrants back to Europe. Vessels carrying immigrants were also stopped at sea by the British, with captured immigrants interned in camps in Cyprus, with many arriving in Israel only after the establishment of the State of Israel, and some losing their lives at sea.

Additionally, around 9,000 Jews, including 1,350 Syrian Jews, were escorted to Palestine through tricky operations over land.

In total, it is estimated that over 100,000 Jewish immigrants participated in Aliyah Bet by sailing to the territory of the British Mandate between 1939 and 1948. The total number of immigrants during the entire mandate period, was around half a million Jews, with close to 90% of them from Europe. By the time statehood was proclaimed, the population of the Yishuv had expanded to over 600,000