Interior Ministry tightens criteria for converts' aliyah
In order to prevent misuse of conversions as means to obtain Israeli citizenship, ministry plan sets stricter conditions for immigration of converts to Israel. As a result, people who were acknowledged as Jews by Chief Rabbinate may not be able to make aliyah
The Interior Ministry has drafted new criteria that would place stricter restrictions on immigration of Jewish converts to Israel. While the document aims to prevent the misuse of conversions for purposes of obtaining an Israeli citizenship (such as in the case of foreign workers), it will likely make aliyah difficult for people whose conversion has been approved by the Chief Rabbinate.
Among other things, the ministry draft plan demands that conversion candidates attend classes for nine months and take an active part in their community's life prior to their conversion, and that they continue to play an active role in the community in the nine months following the conversion.
Initiative
Immigration and Absorption Ministry recommends establishment of new conversion authority in attempt to help olim complete conversion process, encourage an increase in applicants
Rabbi Dr Shaul (Seth) Farber, head of Itim, the Jewish Life Information Center, said it was absurd that the Interior Ministry placed stricter demands than the Chief Rabbinate on converts. He explained that some of the converts whose citizenship approval has been delayed were already recognized as Jews by the Chief Rabbinate, which is also willing to marry them.
"There are some total idiots in the Interior Ministry who exhibit utter ignorance on the issue of conversions abroad," Farber stated. He explained for instance, that converts would not be able to present the required certificates from institutions abroad, because they do not convert through a conversion ulpan or any other institute.
'Trust conversion rabbis'
Farber agreed that people who had stayed in the country illegally in the past should not be granted citizenship, but called on the Interior Ministry to show more faith in rabbis abroad. "If they are permitted to hold conversions, they should be considered responsible enough not to convert would-be foreign workers and terrorists who are only after an Israeli nationality," he said.The Interior Ministry said in response that, "The regulations, which were formulated in cooperation with the Justice Ministry and the attorney general, were distributed by us to organizations that deal with the subject in order to get their feedback.
"We regret Rabbi Farber's decision to relay his comments through the media and not in the proper manner. Rabbi Farber's statements are based on mere assumptions regarding how the regulations will be implemented, although this has not been decided yet."
New olim arrive in country (Illustration)
Photo: Sasson Tiram
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