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Direct Absorption — Falash Mura 2026 Pilot in Rishon LeZion
2026 pilot — Falash Mura olim placed directly into housing rather than absorption centers. Rolling out in cities with established community support frameworks. First direct-absorption deployment for the community.
About Rishon LeZion
Rishon LeZion is home to a large, active Israeli-Ethiopian community, historically concentrated in the Ramat Eliyahu neighbourhood — originally built as absorption housing and now a long-standing community centre. The neighbourhood is at the heart of urban-renewal efforts, alongside a growing second-generation presence across the city.
What changed in 2026?
Until 2025, Falash Mura olim went through absorption centers (months to years). The centers were challenging: crowding, distance from veteran-immigrant family, slow Hebrew acquisition.
The new pilot (2026) shifts to direct housing absorption — a subsidized apartment in a city with community support already in place.
Pilot cities
- Netanya (35,000+ veteran community)
- Rishon LeZion (~12,000)
- Rehovot (~8,500)
- Kiryat Malakhi (15.1% of municipal population)
What's included?
- Subsidized rental for the first months (up to 12)
- Community accompaniment via support orgs (ENP, Tene Briut, IAEJ)
- Hebrew ulpan near the apartment
- Health coverage + klita basket (see klita-basket entry)
How to enroll
- On aliyah: register at Ministry of Aliyah as Falash Mura immigrant
- City choice: check availability in pilot cities (rolling annually)
- Community attachment: connect to a local org (ENP / Fidel / Tene Briut)
- Monthly check-ins: integration progress updates for 12 months
📞 Aliyah hotline: *2994
Ethiopian community in Rishon LeZion
- Community population
- ~12,000
- Share of city
- ~8%
- Main neighbourhoods
- רמת אליהו, נחלה
- Community services
- תנה בריאות, ביטוח לאומי מקומי
More rights in Rishon LeZion
This right in other cities
FAQ — Rishon LeZion
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Rishon LeZion?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Rishon LeZion numbers approximately ~12,000 residents — around ~8% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: רמת אליהו, נחלה.
- How do I claim Direct Absorption — Falash Mura 2026 Pilot in Rishon LeZion?
- Apply via the relevant government body in Rishon LeZion. For support: תנה בריאות, ביטוח לאומי מקומי.
- What community support is available in Rishon LeZion for this right?
- In Rishon LeZion, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: תנה בריאות, ביטוח לאומי מקומי.
Related rights
Housing Grants for Ethiopian Immigrants Living in Absorption Centers or Absorption Sites
For a family, senior citizen or individual who immigrated from Ethiopia and is leaving an absorption center or absorption site, and meets the Ministry of Construction and Housing's "lacking housing" definition. Based on Government Decision 1103 (10.2.2022), valid through end of 2031.
Mortgage Guide for Ethiopian-Israelis 2026
What still exists and what has closed: the ₪600,000 loan is not open for registration, and the absorption-centre housing grant for olim from Ethiopia (Decision 1103) is the active route — ₪235,000 to ₪650,000 by family composition.
Rental Assistance for New Immigrants — Guide 2026
New immigrants are entitled to rental assistance for up to 36 months: single 2,000 ILS/month, couple 3,100, family with children up to 4,400 ILS/month.
Mortgage for Ethiopian Israelis — Community Mortgage, 600,000 ILS
The programme is real but **registration is closed** — there is no open lottery, and the ministry has removed its programme pages. The terms as set: up to ILS 600,000 over 25 years, 0% interest for the first 10 years and 2% for the next 15.