“We are neither here nor there”: considerations of internal migration within forced displacement among evacuees in Israel’s northern periphery

Abstract Following a forced internal displacement process among evacuated parents during the ongoing crisis in Israel, the current study aimed to explore the feelings of the evacuees as well as the considerations surrounding internal migration as a more voluntary process. The Push–Pull Motivation theory was used as a framework for describing the factors that parents deliberate or debate during their search for a place to relocate during challenging periods. The primary locations of both origin and destination are in the Israeli Northern periphery characterized by geographical features such as distance from the center and proximity to Israel’s borders. Additionally, the temporarily evacuated locations were also considered as both origin and destination, representing areas outside the periphery. The phenomenological approach was employed based on 50 semi-structured interviews conducted with parents of K-12 students. The thematic analysis revealed three themes related to feelings regarding the evacuation: a sense of detachment, lack of free will, and deep concern for the well-being of the children. Furthermore, internal migration considerations are described through four situations that reflect the intersection of push and pull factors, both within and outside the periphery. The pull factors toward the periphery included economic, emotional-sentimental, ideological, and parental-familial considerations. The push factors away from the periphery included security crises, community burdens, and marginalized living conditions. The findings demonstrate an ongoing struggle between the old life and the new life, leading to an imbalance between the different needs and demands of the evacuees.