Annual Assessment of the Jewish People 2025 | 5785

15/09/2025

This report is traditionally presented to the Government of Israel and major Jewish organizations worldwide. It offers decision makers trenchant analysis and policy recommendations across six dimensions of the Jewish people’s well-being: geopolitics, cohesion, resilience, identity, demography, and U.S.-Israel relations.

Project Head: Yaakov Katz

Contributors: Elliott Abrams, Ita Alcalay, Nadia Beider, Shlomi Bereznik, Shlomo Fischer, Shuki Friedman, Yehonatan Givati, Amos Harel, Eli Kannai, Dov Maimon, Robert Neufeld, Shmuel Rosner, Amit Shoval, Noah Slepkov, Yedidia Stern, Gil Troy.

Editor: Barry Geltman

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Annual Assessment of the Jewish People 2025 | 5785

Annual Assessment of the Jewish People 2025 | 5785

Key Recommendations

  • Define a clear political goal for the “day after” the war; establish a consensus-based strategy for Gaza’s reconstruction, determine the identity of its governing authority, and set measures to restore Israel’s international legitimacy.
  • Curb extremist rhetoric within the government and publicly condemn and halt statements about expulsion, starvation, and total destruction to prevent further damage to Israel’s international image.
  • Launch an offensive diplomacy initiative to strengthen ties with key states in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while presenting a new regional vision that leverages Iran’s weakness and opportunities for normalization.
  • Bring the perspective of Diaspora Jews into Israel’s decision-making processes. The most suitable forum for this is the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Knesset Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs. It is recommended that discussions be held there twice a year with the participation of representatives from the Jewish Diaspora.
  • Israel cannot limit itself to addressing security challenges without also tackling issues that weigh on it as a society and risk leading to an internal crisis whose consequences could be no less severe than those of an external one. Taking the time to reassess the necessary coalition framework, to review and update the governing arrangements it requires, and to properly address its main internal challenges (such as the Haredi issue) could – no less than the necessary security updates – serve as a foundation for an Israeli renewal that would lead the country out of crisis.
  • Adopt a “Thin Constitution” that would provide an agreed-upon and stable framework for managing disagreements. There is a real possibility of reaching broad agreement on the criteria for such a constitution, since these would not deal with the values at the heart of the culture war.
  • Given the unfortunate increase in emigration from Israel, it is important to maintain connections with Israelis abroad. This population has the potential to revitalize existing Jewish communities and provide professional networks for Israelis seeking to work with or for companies overseas. As this population is often not affiliated with the established Jewish community, it is important to cultivate direct ties with them. This is probably best achieved via non-governmental and third-sector organizations, as they tend to be somewhat skeptical of official interventions.
  • Tailor absorption services to better serve immigrants from Western countries. From 2022 to 2024, there was a particularly large wave of immigration from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The needs of those immigrants differ greatly from those of the current flow, predominantly from Western countries. As rising antisemitism is leading many young people to consider Aliyah out of concern for their future safety in their home countries, there should be greater investment in school and college programs for young people.
  • Establish an Israeli National Strategic Plan to combat antisemitism. Israel, the most structured and resourceful Jewish entity, has a role to play in the coordinated effort to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish communities around the world in the face of rising antisemitism. There is an urgent need for a unified and multi-pronged approach to confront this resurgent threat. The fight against antisemitism is important not only in order to protect Diaspora Jewry, but also to safeguard the vital interests of the State of Israel itself, which is threatened by antisemitism that could also influence the attitudes of world governments and international organizations toward Israel.
  • Establish premier U.S.-recognized academic degrees at Israeli universities. Given the challenges of antisemitism on college campuses worldwide and the hesitance of many Diaspora Jews to enroll in leading universities, there is a compelling opportunity for Israeli universities to develop and expand top-tier, U.S.-recognized academic programs conducted in English.

The data included in this year’s Annual Assessment is taken from JPPI’s monthly Voice of the Jewish People and Israeli Society Index surveys. The Voice of the Jewish People respondent panel is composed of American Jews with relatively strong connections to the Jewish community, Israel, and Jewish identity. The Israeli Society Index surveys analyze data collected from a representative sample of Jewish and non-Jewish Israelis, and are administered by themadad.com and Afkar Research.

 

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