Itongadol.- New immigrants have a “negative effect” on culture in Israel, say 19 percent of native-born Israelis polled recently by the Absorption Ministry and the Ashdod municipality.
The survey, conducted for the Ashdod Conference on Absorption to be held later this month, polled 611 people, both new immigrants and longtime Israelis. It reveals mixed feelings among those polled as to the successful integration of immigrants so far. On the positive side, 56 percent of immigrants said they believed Israeli society fully accepted them. A similar number (55 percent) responded that they feel a greater sense of belonging to Israel than they do to their country of origin, and only 33 percent said they identified more with the people of their home country.
However, only a minority of both the immigrants and the veteran Israelis questioned said they felt that Israeli society welcomed them with open arms − only about 20 percent agreed with that statement, while 80 percent agreed with the statement that society’s attitude toward an immigrant depended on his or her country of origin.
The new immigrants and veteran Israelis were divided as to their belief about the immigrants’ economic contribution to the country. While 80 percent of the new immigrants said they believed that immigrants contribute greatly to the economic development of the state, only 46 percent of longtime residents said they believed this. The older the longtime resident respondent was, the greater they considered the contribution of the immigrants. While 66 percent of veteran Israelis aged over 55 said that the immigrants’ contribution was great, only 30 percent of those under 24 believed this.
“The immigrants, veteran and new, are an asset to the State of Israel,” Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver said in response to the survey. “Their contribution to the economy, society and culture is invaluable. As a society that is constantly integrating new immigrants, we have the obligation to welcome them with open arms and to promote integration from which everyone benefits.”
Ashdod Mayor Yehiel Lasri added: “The results of the survey show that the immigrants clearly recognize their contribution to the State of Israel, which shows their satisfaction with their process of integration into Israeli society.”