Minister Edery calls for Law of Return review
New immigration minister cites forgeries as reason for examining existing criteria. 'It's obvious that some immigrants haven't the slightest connection to Judaism' he says
The Law of Return declares Israel home not only for the State's residents, but also for all Jewish people everywhere, allowing Jews and those with Jewish parents or one grandparent to settle in Israel and be granted citizenship.
As such it has been one of the core issues in the Israeli political debate since its enactment in 1950.
Edery spoke at an official Knesset event, marking the 30th anniversary of the Ministry of Immigration Absorption.
"It is obvious that some of the immigrants coming to Israel don't have the slightest connection with Judaism... I'm afraid that the amount of forgeries (of maternal Jewish heritage) make it necessary for us to review the existing criteria.
"We will seek the advice of Jewish elements all over the world before bringing the proposed revisions for government approval," he said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who attended the event, expressed his appreciation for the ministry, saying "I don't know any other country that does as much as Israel does in terms of integration efforts.
"I remember the huge waves of immigration over the years, the difficulties the immigrants faced and I see massive integration," he added.
"We still have a long way to go," said Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. "Strength in numbers is not a cliché in Israel's case … the absorption and integration of the immigrant population has been and remains our national mission."
