\u201cThis legislation corrects a real structural unfairness,\u201d said Jeremy Saltan, an adviser for the ruling Likud party who helped advance the legislation. \u201cBy removing the burden of double social security payments, we make aliyah [immigration to Israel] more economically viable for working families and professionals abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/F190814FFF06-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tNew immigrants from North America arrive at Ben Gurion airport on August 14, 2019. (Flash90)<\/p>\n
The law, initiated by Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman along with that party\u2019s Ohad Tal and Yesh Atid\u2019s Meirav Ben Ari, was approved 13-0 in its second and third readings in the Knesset.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bill passed from one Knesset to another, and many Knesset members, including myself, tried to promote it in the past but encountered many difficulties,\u201d Rothman said. \u201cNow I call on our brothers overseas: Come and immigrate to Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the legislation, the National Insurance Institute will be refunded by the Treasury for the losses it incurs under the arrangement. The law was approved as a 10-year temporary provision, and can be renewed in the future for two five-year periods.<\/p>\n
The Social Security tax rate for self-employed workers in the US is currently 15.3%. The rate Israelis pay for National Insurance varies, and different estimates were presented in Knesset debates, but the average is around the ballpark of 15%, Saltan said.<\/p>\n
The exemption does not include health insurance contributions, which are deducted separately.<\/p>\n
Immigration organizations said they were extremely pleased with the legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past two decades, we have identified the issue of double payment of National Insurance as a significant hurdle for aliyah, due to the financial burden it has caused during the initial critical absorption period of olim,\u201d said Natah Katz, head of the Post Aliyah & Advocacy Division of Nefesh B\u2019Nefesh, noting that the organization had worked with policymakers for years on the issue. \u201cThe approval of this law marks an important step forward and reflects the State of Israel\u2019s recognition of the needs of new olim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dov Lipman, founder of Yad L\u2019Olim and a former MK, also applauded the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had conversations with MK Rothman about this and other issues, and thank him for seeing this through,\u201d he said. \u201cWe firmly believe that the more olim that come to Israel, the better it is for Israel on multiple levels. Therefore, we support any legislation that makes it easier for olim during their first few years in Israel,\u201d he said, using the Hebrew word for immigrants to Israel.<\/p>\n
Israeli lawmakers have been working to minimize obstacles to immigration, putting forth numerous new initiatives in recent years. In November, they announced<\/a> that new immigrants and returning residents arriving in 2026 will have a zero-percent income tax rate for their first two years after moving to Israel.<\/p>\n About 3,500 immigrants came from the US in 2025, an increase of 5% from the previous year and up 30% from 2023, the Immigration and Absorption Ministry says<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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