Semsem
07-12-2005, 12:36 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4673055.stm
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
By Lucy Williamson
BBC News, in Jerusaelm
Average Jewish birthrates are higher in Israel than abroad
Israel will soon be home to the largest Jewish community in the world for the first time in two millennia, according to an independent report.
The findings suggest that while the US still has a slightly more Jews - 5.28 million - intermarriage and low birth rates mean numbers are declining.
Israel's by contrast, is predicted to grow by some 50,000 in the coming year.
The report was issued by the Jerusalem-based think tank the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute.
According to the report, Israel is one of very few countries where Jewish populations are growing.
Each Jewish woman in Israel has an average of 2.7 children - and most would like to have more.
JEWISH POPULATIONS
United States - 5,280,000
Israel - 5,235,000
France - 494,000
Canada - 372,000
United Kingdom - 298,000
Russia - 235,000
Source: JPPPI Annual Assessment for 2005
This, rather than immigration, is the reason behind the community's growth, researchers say.
Jewish immigration to Israel has fallen from 70,000 a year in the early 1990s to about 20,000 in the last couple of years.
The JPPPI has suggested the Israeli government take a more creative approach to further expand the country's Jewish population - for example, by offering "gradual immigration".
This would allow Jews living in other countries to become non-resident Israeli citizens in return for some basic military training and a small investment.
Demography is seen as politically important in the Middle East.
The Arab population in Israel and the Occupied Territories is approaching the size of the Jewish community, and growing faster.
This is something many in the Israeli government see as a threat to the country's Jewish identity.
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LINKS TO MORE MIDDLE EAST STORIES
SelectIraq suspects suffocate in heatIsrael's Jews 'set to exceed US'Sanction call over Israel barrierIsrael requests extra US $2.2bnIran press blame West for blastsBarrier demos to be 'stepped up'Prominent Palestinian MP resignsPrisoners escape US Afghan baseAssault on Iraqi army checkpointUK draws up Iraq 'pull-out plan'Many dead in Iraq suicide blastIraq envoy 'remarks' anger EgyptUS film-maker free from Iraq jailG8 pledges $3bn to PalestiniansIsraelis arrest 10 PalestiniansIsrael approves Jerusalem barrierIran may build 20 nuclear plantsMore child camel jockeys returnMid-East press rejects London linkMidEast press mulls London bombingsProgrammes and schedulesIn pictures: Iran's colourful campaignWhy did Iran elect Ahmadinejad?In pictures: Jerusalem homes razedProfile: Prince BandarKidnapped: Iraq hostages remember
KEY STORIES
Barrier demos to be 'stepped up'
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
Israel requests extra US $2.2bn
Prominent Palestinian MP resigns
ANALYSIS
Few cheers
Settler protesters appear to be losing the battle for Israeli public support
'Human shields'
Dashed hopes at summit
Q&A: Sharon's Gaza plan
Gaza diary: Crossing the divide
Questions grow over Gaza plan
PROFILES
Ariel Sharon Yasser Arafat B Netanyahu Shimon Peres Ahmed Qurei Khaled Meshaal AA Rantissi Hamas Mahmoud Abbas Islamic Jihad Al-Aqsa Brigade
In depth coverage
Death of Yasser Arafat
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Jewish People Policy Planning Institute
Israeli foreign ministry
Palestinian National Authority
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
TOP MIDDLE EAST STORIES NOW
Iraq suspects suffocate in heat
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
Sanction call over Israel barrier
Israel requests extra US $2.2bn
| What is RSS?
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
By Lucy Williamson
BBC News, in Jerusaelm
Average Jewish birthrates are higher in Israel than abroad
Israel will soon be home to the largest Jewish community in the world for the first time in two millennia, according to an independent report.
The findings suggest that while the US still has a slightly more Jews - 5.28 million - intermarriage and low birth rates mean numbers are declining.
Israel's by contrast, is predicted to grow by some 50,000 in the coming year.
The report was issued by the Jerusalem-based think tank the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute.
According to the report, Israel is one of very few countries where Jewish populations are growing.
Each Jewish woman in Israel has an average of 2.7 children - and most would like to have more.
JEWISH POPULATIONS
United States - 5,280,000
Israel - 5,235,000
France - 494,000
Canada - 372,000
United Kingdom - 298,000
Russia - 235,000
Source: JPPPI Annual Assessment for 2005
This, rather than immigration, is the reason behind the community's growth, researchers say.
Jewish immigration to Israel has fallen from 70,000 a year in the early 1990s to about 20,000 in the last couple of years.
The JPPPI has suggested the Israeli government take a more creative approach to further expand the country's Jewish population - for example, by offering "gradual immigration".
This would allow Jews living in other countries to become non-resident Israeli citizens in return for some basic military training and a small investment.
Demography is seen as politically important in the Middle East.
The Arab population in Israel and the Occupied Territories is approaching the size of the Jewish community, and growing faster.
This is something many in the Israeli government see as a threat to the country's Jewish identity.
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
LINKS TO MORE MIDDLE EAST STORIES
SelectIraq suspects suffocate in heatIsrael's Jews 'set to exceed US'Sanction call over Israel barrierIsrael requests extra US $2.2bnIran press blame West for blastsBarrier demos to be 'stepped up'Prominent Palestinian MP resignsPrisoners escape US Afghan baseAssault on Iraqi army checkpointUK draws up Iraq 'pull-out plan'Many dead in Iraq suicide blastIraq envoy 'remarks' anger EgyptUS film-maker free from Iraq jailG8 pledges $3bn to PalestiniansIsraelis arrest 10 PalestiniansIsrael approves Jerusalem barrierIran may build 20 nuclear plantsMore child camel jockeys returnMid-East press rejects London linkMidEast press mulls London bombingsProgrammes and schedulesIn pictures: Iran's colourful campaignWhy did Iran elect Ahmadinejad?In pictures: Jerusalem homes razedProfile: Prince BandarKidnapped: Iraq hostages remember
KEY STORIES
Barrier demos to be 'stepped up'
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
Israel requests extra US $2.2bn
Prominent Palestinian MP resigns
ANALYSIS
Few cheers
Settler protesters appear to be losing the battle for Israeli public support
'Human shields'
Dashed hopes at summit
Q&A: Sharon's Gaza plan
Gaza diary: Crossing the divide
Questions grow over Gaza plan
PROFILES
Ariel Sharon Yasser Arafat B Netanyahu Shimon Peres Ahmed Qurei Khaled Meshaal AA Rantissi Hamas Mahmoud Abbas Islamic Jihad Al-Aqsa Brigade
In depth coverage
Death of Yasser Arafat
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Jewish People Policy Planning Institute
Israeli foreign ministry
Palestinian National Authority
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
TOP MIDDLE EAST STORIES NOW
Iraq suspects suffocate in heat
Israel's Jews 'set to exceed US'
Sanction call over Israel barrier
Israel requests extra US $2.2bn
| What is RSS?