Yerida

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Yerida (Hebrew: ירידה Translit.: yerida Translated: descent) is the somewhat derogatory term, widely used to mean emigration by Jews and Israelis from the Land of Israel -- and since its establishment in 1948 -- the State of Israel. The opposite action, immigration by Jews to Israel, is called Aliyah ("ascent").

Emigrants from Israel are known as yordim ("those who go down [from Israel]"). Immigrants to Israel are known as olim ("those who go up [to Israel]").

While there have been far fewer yordim ("emigrants") than olim ("immigrants"), Israeli society has had a tendency to worry about the number of emigrants. A number of reasons are cited for emigration, among them hopes of better economic conditions elsewhere, nostalgia, or political reasons. Statistics are somewhat unreliable, as Israeli authorities count as yordim any Israeli who has stayed abroad for more than a year, notwithstanding his or her intentions to return to Israel. Estimates give 25,000 yordim for 2005 and 60,000 for 2002-2005. [1].