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Israeli Supreme Court Recognizes Non-Orthodox Converts as Jews

VOA News

   After more than 15 years of debate, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled
   Monday that non-Orthodox convertsto Judaismare Jewishand thusentitled
   to become citizens.

   The decisionincludesthose who convert to Judaism through the country's
   Reform and Conservative movements.

   "Jews who during their stay in Israel were legally converted in a
   Reform or Conservative community must be recognized as Jews," the court
   wrote in its majority decision.

   The Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanding citizenship by 8-1.
   Justice NoamSohlberg, the only dissent, said that while he agreed with
   "the legal conclusion of the verdict," the government should have more
   time to pass legislation on the issue.

   Reform and Conservative Jews make up 13% of Israeli society, according
   to the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. In the United States,
   theyrepresentmostaffiliated Jews.

   "If the state of Israel claims to be the nation-state of the Jewish
   world, then the state of Israel must recognize all the denominations of
   Judaism and imbue them with equality and respect," said Rabbi Gilad
   Kariv, leader of the Reform movement.
   COVID-19 restrictions during Purim in Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of
   Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Feb. 28, 2021.

   Among the ultra-Orthodox, the decision was mostlyunwelcomed.

   Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox ShasParty,
   condemned the decision and said it constitutes "a mortal blow to the
   Jewish character of the state."

   "I promise to fix the law to ensure that only conversions under
   Orthodox religious law will be recognized in the state of Israel," said
   Deri, whois in charge ofimmigration policies.

   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will seek reelection on March
   23, reposted a tweet from his LikudParty,stressing that the decision
   should be left "for the people."

   Despite the symbolic weight of the ruling, the decision
   wouldaffectabout30 people per yearwho convert whilein Israel, mostly
   the spouses of Israeli citizens,The Associated
   Pressreported.Conservative or reformed conversions done overseas were
   always recognized for Israelicitizenship.

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