Israeli Minister Ofir Sofer in Australia
"We will do everything we can to improve this difficult process of Aliyah"
Israel’s Minister for Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer visited Australia for the 2025 Aliyah Fair in Melbourne and Sydney, joined by Knesset member Michael Biton.
Addressing the Aliyah Fair in Melbourne on Sunday, Minister Sofer thanked the Australian Jewish community for their support especially since October 7 2023, “I want to thank each and every one of you, and you’re welcome in Israel.”
Speaking to The AJN Minister Sofer said, “It was important to come here and to convey the message that… Israel is the home of the all the entire Jewish people. We are happy for every Jew that will decide to come, and we will do everything we can to improve this difficult process of Aliyah.”
He stated, “I’m pleased to take part in these events in Australia and grateful for the opportunity to meet with the local Jewish community. Unfortunately, as in other countries, the Jewish community in Australia is facing a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents. We expect the government and law enforcement authorities to act decisively and show zero tolerance toward this phenomenon.”
Asked if rising antisemitism in the Diaspora over the last two years contributed to aliyah rates, Minister Sofer said he didn’t believe people make aliyah because of antisemitism. He said, “They can move to another country… People that decide to make aliyah… you feel it when you talk with them, you see the tears in their eyes, they come because of solidarity.”
Minister Sofer voted in favour of the deal to release the Israeli hostages captive in Gaza, the only member of his National Religious Party to do so. He said that since they were released, “Something in the environment has changed… and we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel for this war.”
The Aliyah Fair also launched MedEx in Australia which seeks to attract medical professionals to move to Israel. MedEX provides a one-stop-shop experience that includes credential recognition, job interviews with Israel’s leading healthcare institutions, and guidance on grants, licensing, and relocation – all under one roof. At these events there were 16 recruiting medical institutions including Hadassah Medical Centre, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre and Sheba Medical Centre. It is aimed at addressing Israel’s critical shortage of physicians, as many are now retiring. Biton told the audience, “We need a new wave of doctors coming to Israel… because we are recovering.”
MedEx was organised by Nefesh B’Nefesh in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience, in cooperation with The Jewish Agency for Israel. The event is part of the International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP), an initiative to streamline the professional integration process for doctors making aliyah. It follows successful MedEx events in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and New Jersey.
Co-Founder and Chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Tony Gelbart remarked, “MedEx events are more than informational sessions, they are bridges between professional aspiration and national need.”
Similarly, Minister for the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience Yitzhak Wasserlauf commented, “Today, more than ever, the State of Israel needs skilled doctors in Tzfat, Kiryat Shmona, Be’er Sheva, and Dimona. The Ministry for the Negev and Galilee is proud to be a partner and supporter of this important initiative, which turns Zionism into action by bringing outstanding medical professionals to strengthen hospitals and communities in the Negev, the Galilee, and the Gaza border region.”
Chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel Doron Almog, Major General (Res.) stated,”Immigration is a driver of national growth, and integrating new Olim into the medical field and other areas is an essential part of building and restoring the State of Israel.”
Since the beginning of 2024, approximately 650 doctors from around the world have immigrated to Israel, and since the start of 2025, over 700 doctors have made Aliyah.
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