While Jerusalem residents have been gathering in shelters in recent weeks, new immigrants from North America are also gathering in Israel’s holy capital— and moving in.

Although the war in Gaza still rages on, along with the threat of Houthi missiles, the number of North Americans immigrating to Israel rose 20% in 2024, with Jerusalem topping the list as the favored destination.

Zvi Ephraim Carmines, a 30-year-old tech entrepreneur who recently made aliyah, said that timing did not factor into his decision.