Grant permanent residency to those who have at least one Jewish grandparent and/or a non-halachic conversion, and make full citizenship contingent upon an Orthodox conversion? This is a much more reasonable situation than the current one, in my opinion.

who said anything about me liking or not liking anything? is that based on stereotyping, psychoanalysis, mind reading, or a gut feeling? truth be known, the jewish state is just fine with me. besides, who could legally "show me the door" when israel practically invited me as a christian to be here? just there are absurdities that seem to have only one answer: this is a jewish state. fine. i'd think someone would/could have a better explanation than the same thing the saudis say about their country's state-sanctioned religion. besides, israel recognizes christian and muslim marriages so halacha doesn't apply there. and since it doesn't apply across the board, why does it leave some legal human beings with no option?

thank you for actually reading my post, and not trying to read into it (that's rare in these talkbacks, as you can see). i know there are regulations under halacha, hence my post. i understand that there are gaps for israelis. i think that it is silly that 2 teenagers can legally marry themselves yet two law abiding legal people can't. and to ask them to convert, or "they should convert", when they may have no interest in converting created moral and ethical problems for all sides. yet this is apparently unimportant. pathetic and sad.

I've read here, and other places, where Jews who are non-Orthodox have had to leave the country in order to be married according to their traditions. Is it true that ONLY Orthodox Jewish marriages are valid for Jews in Israel? Would a non-Orthodox Israeli wedding be viewed as valid by the state of Israel, but not by Orthodox Halacha? I've been under the impression that the state of Israel wouldn't validate the marriage either. If Secular, Reform, or Conservative Israeli Jews want to be married ... according to THEIR traditions ... is this possible today in Israel? If so, why do we keep reading about Israeli Jewish citizens who feel forced to leave the country to be married?! Seems that Israeli Christians and Muslims *can* be married according to their own customs and have their marriage recognized ... so why can't ALL Jews be married, whatever their custom, and have it recognized as valid? If two Israeli Reform Jews went through the same ceremony as these children did, would they be considered married? Why or Why Not? I understand that from an Orthodox point of view Israeli Jewish Secular, Reform, and Conservative are not considered 'Real Jews'. Neither are Jews who have become Christians recognized as 'Real Jews'. Why aren't the non-'Real Jews' allowed to legally marry, since non-Jewish (Christian, Muslim) marriages seem to be recognized? Israel *is* a Jewish state and can make whatever laws are wanted. I'm *NOT* questioning the validity, or the reasoning, of Israeli Law. I'm just trying to make consistent sense of it based upon what I've read. It *seems* that non-Orthodox Jews are considered as second-class citizens, when it comes to marriage. Can anyone enlighten me? It's possible that I'm in error and would appreciate any input.

Your "trying to make consistent sense of it [Israeli Law] based upon what I've read" is the problem because it does not make sense. There is no real reasonable explanation, just the fear mongering belief by some that to allow civil marriages for those who are non-Jews (according to Orthodox criteria) and those who are Jews (according to Orthodox criteria) will result in the end of the Jewish State as we know it. So, some innocent citizens have to suffer/pay the price for the survival of the Jewish State. It's just a matter of priorities, you know.

While people in the Galut are aspiring and self-educating and becoming successful, albeit mostly in secular world, it seems like every day there are new, startling stories coming out of the homeland worthy of a Third World tribe. Were these kids Russians? Sephardim? Ashkenazim? Between amulets and kiddie marriages, I'm starting to see the gap between us and Them shrinking, sadly.

to have sex at 14?

Hopefully this article is not in hebrew. this article could Chas V'Shalom cause rebellious teens to make this procedure more common. Hey, we'll be married and everything is fine!!!

This lady has absolutely no clue what she is talking about...she sounds like she is coming straight out of "HOLLYWOOD GANG" and she is very naive!!!!!!