Experts Differ With Sharansky on Aliyah War Effect

from The Jerusalem Post:

Experts: Aliya unaffected by fear of war with Iran

Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky made headlines Sunday saying “dozens” of would-be olim are deferring plans to move because of the crisis over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, but experts were quick to say Monday that so far such a trend – if it exists – has been relatively negligible.

“So far none of the studies we have done have indicated such an outcome,” said an official dealing with aliya, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid publicly disagreeing with Sharansky.

… The Jewish Agency on Monday maintained the chairman’s statement was fact-based, but said the trend remained small.

“In recent months Jewish Agency emissaries are reporting dozens of cases where aliya applicants are asking to defer their arrival,” it said in a statement. “This is still a tiny percentage in comparison with the number of olim who come to Israel each year. Still, every such person who delays his arrival is a huge loss to the country.”