Some 3,052 people moved to Israel from North America, an increase from 2,640 in 2004, and 2,980 came from France, a rise from 2,415 the year before.

Overall, an estimated 23,000 immigrants will arrive before Dec. 31, a slight increase from 2004. Immigration from the former Soviet Union dropped by 10 percent, although the 9,124 people who came still made up 40 percent of all new immigrants.

In addition, 29,712 young Jews took part in short-term programs to Israel, while 5,583 took part in longer-term educational programs. Both of these numbers were up from 2004.

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