Israelis in Armenia
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| unknown | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Yerevan | |
| Languages | |
| Hebrew, Russian, Armenian | |
| Religion | |
| predominantly Judaism |
Israelis in Armenia or Israeli Armenians are citizens or residents of Armenia who were originally from Israel, are of Israeli descent or hold dual citizenship with Israel.
Community in Yerevan
[edit]
Like other immigrant communities in Armenia, Israelis are overwhelmingly concentrated in the country's capital, Yerevan. The community remains small but has been growing since 2022 thanks to the influx of Russian immigrants following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which included a number of Russian-Israelis previously residing in Russia, and increasing yerida from Israel related to the 2023 judicial reform and the Israel–Hamas war.[1][2]
In 2013, an honorary consulate of Israel was opened on Komitas Avenue in Arabkir, Yerevan. It is headed by Achot Chakhmouradian.[3]
Notable Israelis residing in Yerevan include composer William Weiner, contemporary artist Vanane Borian, cultural activist Julia Kislev, journalist Dor Shabashewitz and chef Dmitry Shingarev.[4][5]
Community meeting places for Israelis in Yerevan include the Mordechai Navi Synagogue, the Jewish Community of Armenia office on Koghbatsi Street and two Israeli-owned restaurants, Hummus Kimchi and Mama Jan, which host events on Jewish holidays.[6][7]
Tourism
[edit]Armenia is an increasingly popular destination for Israeli tourists. The 13th-century Jewish cemetery in the Armenian village of Yeghegis, Vayots Dzor Province, is one of the major attractions for Jewish visitors.[8]
Amidst rising levels of antisemitism across the world during the Israel–Hamas war, Israel's National Security Council ranked Armenia as the safest country in the South Caucasus and Central Asia for Israeli visitors.[9]
Issues and controversies
[edit]In 2017, it was reported that the Israeli Ministry of Health asked the police to investigate a potential fraud scheme where Arab Israeli medical students were allegedly getting certificates from Armenian universities in exchange for bribes without actually completing their education.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Knell, Yolande (14 August 2023). "Israelis seek opportunities abroad amid unrest at home". BBC.
- ^ Shabashewitz, Dor (28 September 2023). "Jews escaping from Russia find a home in Armenia". The Forward.
- ^ Luxner, Larry (22 October 2017). "Armenia has had few Jews and a poor relationship with Israel. That could be changing". Jewish Telegraph Agency.
- ^ Borian, Vanane. "Welcome to the artist space". Vanane.
- ^ Averbukh, Misha (11 November 2016). "Ha-Meyeret wa-Rakdanit ha-Beten Yulia Kislev ozevet et Yisrael wa-masheirah khor ba-Tarbut ha-Rusit" המאיירת ורקדנית הבטן יוליה כסלו עוזבת את ישראל ומשאירה חור בתרבות הרוסית [The female illustrator and belly dancer Julia Kislev is leaving Israel and leaving a hole in the Russian culture]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2023-12-31.
- ^ Férez, Manuel. "La presencia judía en Armenia: pasado y presente" [The Jewish presence in Armenia: past and present]. Oriente Medio News (in Spanish).
- ^ Шахраманян, Яна (5 June 2022). "Hummus-Kimchi: Miks Izráilʹskix i Koréjskix vkúsov - v céntre Jerevána" Hummus-Kimchi: микс израильских и корейских вкусов – в центре Еревана [Hummus-Kimchi: A Mix of Israeli and Korean Tastes - in the center of Yerevan]. Mediamax. Archived from the original on 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Searching for Traces of Jews in Medieval Armenia: A Field Trip to the Jewish Cemetery of Yeghegis". JewsEast. 5 March 2019.
- ^ "Announcement of the National Security Council". Gov.il. 4 December 2023.
- ^ Heruti-Sover, Tali (17 June 2017). "Ha-Mishtara khoqeret et Ta'assiyat Te'udot Refuat ha-Shinayim ha-Mezuyafot mi-Armenia" המשטרה חוקרת את תעשיית תעודות רפואת השיניים המזויפות מארמניה [Police are investigating the false Dental Certificate Industry from Armenia]. The Marker.