Should antisemitism be the reason to buy real estate in Israel?

In recent years, and especially since October 7, many Jews around the world have been forced to confront an uncomfortable reality. Antisemitism is no longer a fringe issue. It is visible, vocal, and in many places increasingly tolerated. As I speak with more and more clients from abroad who are looking to buy in Israel, I often ask the same question: what was the moment that made you say, “That’s enough. We’re buying in Israel”?

Here is my honest take: antisemitism may be the trigger, but it should not be the main reason you buy real estate in Israel. You don’t buy here because you are running away from something. You buy here because you are running toward something. And if Israel were merely an empty land of refuge for Jews in times of crisis, my tone would be very different. But the reality is the exact opposite.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but it is rarely a solid foundation for long-term decisions, especially when it comes to real estate. Buying property is not just a financial move. It is a statement about where you see your future. Purchasing real estate in Israel is often one of the most emotional and meaningful decisions a person will ever make.

The world is changing, and tolerance toward Jews in many Western countries is eroding in ways we have not witnessed in our lifetime. Ignoring that reality would be naïve. But if your entire mindset is framed around escape, asking only “Where do I go if things get worse?”, then you are missing the deeper point of Israel altogether.

Israel should not be viewed as an emergency backup plan. It is not a “just in case” destination. It is the future.

The modern State of Israel is barely 77 years old. In historical terms, it is still in its infancy. And yet, under conditions that would break most nations: constant security threats, wars, diplomatic pressure, and global boycotts- it has emerged as one of the most resilient, innovative, and overachieving societies in the world. Tech investment is at an all-time high. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 this year. Global companies continue to expand their footprint here, including major announcements such as Nvidia which plans to build a large-scale R&D center in Northern Israel, employing thousands. Drive in almost any direction and you will see construction cranes reshaping the skyline. Even The Economist recently ranked Israel among the strongest economies in the OECD for 2025. All of this is happening in the midst of a multi-front war. If that sounds illogical, it’s because by conventional metrics, it is.

What makes Israel different cannot be explained by spreadsheets alone. This is a country that recently had its entire society drop everything in an instant. Careers, families, studies, and businesses were put aside as people stepped forward to defend something larger than themselves. A generation showed up not because it was convenient, but because responsibility, sacrifice, and shared destiny are not slogans here – they are lived realities.

Over the past two years, Israel’s brave warriors and intelligence services have carried out operations of such complexity that when viewed purely through probabilities and statistics, they defy explanation. Too many variables had to align. Too many things had to go right. Yet each and every time, they succeeded. Try to analyze this country solely through numbers and logic, and you will inevitably come up short.

There are very few places left in the world where collective responsibility still exists in a meaningful way. In Israel, it is not theoretical. It is cultural. It is woven into daily life. It is part of the national DNA.

And yes, like every society, Israel has its problems- many of them. No one denies that. But when you zoom out, the direction is unmistakable. The coming decade or two are likely to be Israel’s most defining and most successful era yet. If Israel were a stock, based on long-term performance, resilience under pressure, and future growth indicators, many would already be all in. In reality, that’s exactly what is happening. People are placing their time, their money, and their lives where the future is heading. And right now, that future is being built here.

When you buy real estate in Israel, you are not just purchasing square meters. You are placing a vote of confidence in the future of the Jewish people in their homeland. You’re saying: I believe this country will grow and thrive. I believe my children and grandchildren will have opportunities here. I believe this is where meaningful life is being built.

That belief matters. Not just emotionally, but practically. People who buy from a place of conviction rather than fear, tend to make better decisions. They choose locations thoughtfully and think long-term. They integrate themselves into the fabric of the country rather than standing on the sidelines.

There is something historically unprecedented about the era we are living in. For most of Jewish history, sovereignty was an aspiration, not a reality. Today, it exists. And not in a symbolic or fragile form, but as a thriving, complex, ambitious state that plays a meaningful role in global innovation, culture, and Jewish identity. After thousands of years without a homeland, we find ourselves in 2025 living through an extraordinarily rare moment in history, one that would exceed our ancestors’ wildest dreams. A strong Jewish state, economically vibrant, technologically advanced, and culturally alive, in which Jews not only live, but build, invest, and shape the future.

It is impossible to strip emotion from a decision of this magnitude. Israel is not merely surviving against the odds. It is thriving despite them, and that distinction matters. The country continues to grow and advance with every possible challenge stacked against it, a reality that speaks volumes about its long-term trajectory.

If antisemitism is what opened your eyes, that is understandable. But fear should not be the force that defines such a meaningful decision. Buying in Israel should come from a place of conviction, not panic. You buy in Israel because this is where life is being built, where opportunity is unfolding, and where the future is actively taking shape. Something that belongs to you historically, morally, and spiritually. A homecoming to something that has always been there beneath the surface, waiting for the moment you are ready to turn it into reality.

Noah Sander is a Canadian-born real estate agent based in Tel Aviv, specializing in helping international buyers and new olim navigate the Israeli property market. For inquiries: [email protected]