Israel’s far-right parties campaign for change to Law of Return
The parties want to annul a clause which allows grandchildren of Jews to immigrate to Israel – a move that would significantly impact thousands of Jews wanting to make aliyah.
The far-right Religious Zionism Party and two further ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding a change to Israel’s Law of Return as part of coalition negotiations.
According to a report by Channel 13, the parties want to annul the “grandson clause” which allows grandchildren of Jews to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.
Such a move would affect large parts of the Jewish diaspora who immigrate to Israel under this clause, particularly those from the former Soviet Union.
The ultra-Orthodox parties adhere to the strict conservative definition of Jews, which says that only a child of a Jewish mother can be considered Jewish.
Several outgoing ministers condemned the intention to change the law, including Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai.
“The proposal to negate the Law of Return from the third generation is ridiculous and harmful. This is an ugly attempt to harm their right to come to the State of Israel and live in it.”
Outgoing Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman also attacked the parties, calling their demand a “divorce certificate” to the Jewish Diaspora, while claiming that IDF soldiers who immigrated to Israel under the grandfather clause were “far more Jewish” than ultra-orthodox students.
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