In the wake of October 7^th, Israel has been grappling with the deadly threat emanating from its southern and northern borders.  Despite their distance from the war, Jewish communities around the world have been shaken by these events and their massive reverberations around the world.

Since 2020, Israelis overseas has been a core focus of Mosaic United, which works to seed and strengthen organic communities of Israeli Jews abroad, connecting them with resources, educational experiences, and their broader local Jewish communities.

In working with Israelis abroad, Mosaic – which is partnered with the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism  - is  keenly aware of their unique identity as Israelis living outside of their home country’s borders.  They experience much of what their fellow Israeli relatives and friends do at home, but not in quite the same way.  And they are both part of and separate from the local Jewish communities where they find themselves living today.  They are a unique breed of Jew, both of the Diaspora and of Israel.

In an effort to better understand the experiences of this unique population spread across the world at this challenging time, Mosaic engaged with Tovanot Institute to conduct a survey.  The survey was conducted from January 29 through February 11, 2024.  The survey included responses from 2,021 Israelis age 20 or older and living abroad for at least three years.  And what is revealed is an interesting reflection of the experiences of Israelis abroad.

• Increased identification post-October 7^th: 56.1% of respondents state that their identification with Israel has increased or greatly increased.  38.2% state that their identification remains the same, and 5.7% state that their identification has weakened or greatly weakened.

• Must be activists: 64.2% believe to a great extent that Israelis must take an active role on behalf of Israel in the countries where they live, while an additional 20.9% believe they need to a moderate extent.  7.9% believe to a small extent they need to, and 7.0% believe they need not at all.

• Prepared to advocate: 49.8% of respondents believe that they are well prepared to lead a discussion on the situation in Israel or advocate on behalf of Israel.  34.7% believe they are to a moderate extent, 11.8% to a mild extent, and 3.8% believe they are not at all.

• How Israelis are showing their support
• • 78.9% support Israel on social networks
  • 69.4% donated money
  • 62.1% participated in rallies or marches
  • 60.0% participated in Israeli community events
  • 59.6% participated in Jewish community events
  • 57.3% took part in public diplomacy (hasbara) activities
  • 29.4% initiated activities to support Israel
  • 9.4% traveled to volunteer in Israel

• Emotionally connected to Israel: 82.6% of respondents feel very emotionally connected to Israel.  13.2% feel connected to some extent, 3.3% feel a little connected, and just 0.9% do not feel connected at all.

• Do not intend to return to Israel: Only 1.8% intend to return to live in Israel in the coming months following October 7^th.  7.0% intend to return to and have practical intentions, 29.5% intend to return but do not have practical intentions, and 61.7% do not intend to return to live in Israel.

• Children do not intend to return to Israel: 7.6% of respondents have children who have already either returned to Israel or enlisted in the IDF, and 1.5% of their children are doing so in the coming months.  4.5% intend to do so and have practical intention, 17.1% intend to do so but don’t have practical intentions, and 69.2% do not intend to return to Israel or enlist in the IDF.

• Increase in antisemitism where you live: 68.6% believe that antisemitism has increased to a great or moderate extent in the country where they live since October 7^th.  That includes 83.1% of respondents from Canada, 81.2% from Australia, 66.2% from the UK, 63.6% from the US, and 60.6% from Germany.  31.5% of respondents think that antisemitism has increased only marginally or not at all in the country where they live.

• Demographics

• • Time abroad: The sample found that of those surveyed 11.2% have lived abroad for four to six years, 17.5% for seven to ten years, 27% for 11 to 20 years, 19.3% for 21 to 30 years, and 25% for 31 years or more.
  • Marital status: 71.3% of respondents are married, 9.4% are divorced, 8.7% are in a partnership, 7.8% are single, and 2.8% are widowed.
  • Religious identification: 68.6% of respondents define themselves as secular, 22.5% as traditional, 4.1% as religious, 1.2% as haredi, and 3.6% as other.
  • Educational background: 36.0% of respondents hold a master’s or greater degree, 36.7% hold a bachelor’s degree, 20.5% graduated from professional school, and 6.7% are either high school graduates or have less education.

Avi Cohen-Scali, Director-General of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, stated, “Investing in Israelis, even when they are abroad, is a fundamental value.  We are not only preserving the connection to Israel and Jewish identities of thousands of Israelis, but also fostering solidarity with and activism on behalf of Israel.  Israelis abroad constitute a strategic asset for Israel, as evident by their leadership of rallies and demonstrations worldwide.”

Meir Holtz, CEO of Mosaic United, added, “Our ongoing and war-time strategy of nurturing grassroots communities for Israelis abroad advances not only the building of active, resilient communities of Israelis, but also larger and more connected Jewish communities globally.”