Israeli newspaper reveals extent of brain drain

The Israeli media has for the first time revealed the extent of the “brain drain” of scientists from the Jewish state. The online version of the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth claims that there has been a considerable increase in the number of Israeli scientists and researchers leaving to complete studies and work on their specialism overseas. The newspaper warned of the “loss of Israel’s information and knowledge inventory” after it published a detailed list of 4,500 scientists and researchers scattered around the world.

Not surprisingly. the list showed a greater concentration of Israeli scientists in the United States, around 3348, with 385 in Canada, 340 in Britain and 131 in Australia.

Yedioth Ahronoth appealed to the authorities in Tel Aviv to contact these scientists to try to lure them back to work in Israel. Job offers, privileges and other inducements should be provided, it said.