The number of people who emigrated to Israel from the UK the summer is the highest in five years, according to the Jewish agency.

Latest figures show that 102 Brits made the move in August 2005, and a large number came in July.

Neil Gillman, a counselor with the United Jewish Israel Appeal, which advises immigrants from Britain, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia, said that August was “an exceptional month.”

“It is typically the time young families with children arrive, just before the schools start,” he told EJP.

Increased security

Certainly the growth in Israel’s economy had a strong effect. This can be coupled with the tremendous work of the aliyah department in the UK, who constantly question established norms and think of new ways to promote aliyah Neil Gillman

The second intifada, or Arab uprising, which began in the Autumn of 2000, had a predictably negative effect on the number of people leaving their homes to move to Israel, a move known as aliyah.

But with the increase in security and the decrease in the number of terror attacks, European Jews have begun moving to Israel in larger numbers.

According to Gillman the growth in aliyah from the UK is part of a wider trend seen over the last three years where there has been a rise from western countries.

Discussing the upturn in UK immigrants, Gillman said: “Certainly the growth in Israel’s economy had a strong effect. This can be coupled with the tremendous work of the aliyah department in the UK, who constantly question established norms and think of new ways to promote aliyah.”

The former Londoner also pointed to the increase in the number of people visiting Israel from the UK on organised programmes as another factor boosting aliyah.

Zionistic UK community

One recent immigrant, 25-year-old David Preston from London, said he has been enjoying himself since moving to Jerusalem in July.

Preston, who worked as an architect in the UK, is currently studying Hebrew at the Ulpan Etzion absorption centre.

“Its been great,” he told EJP. “The Jewish agency make it so easy. You don’t need to come with anything. Theres people here to help you with everything.”

Preston said he saw moving to Israel as a natural progression for himself and a way to continue the achievements of his family back home.

“You never know what will happen in the future, but the Jews will always have a home in Israel,” Preston said.

Praising the British community Gillman said he expects the high numbers of UK immigrants to continue.

“The British Jewish community has always been strongly Zionistic,” he said. The percentage who visit Israel is exceedingly high compared to other countries therefore its no surprise that the number of olim (immigrants to Israel) is high. I expect and hope this to continue."