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The Law of Return and the Law on Citizenship

as expressions of the Jewish and Democratic nature of the State of Israel

Activity Unit - Case 4 -5

7. The Law of Return - Implementation Cases

4. Proposed Insertion of Amendment

From 1972 onwards, the Agudat Israel Party and Orthodox rabbis in Israel and the Diaspora have insisted that the term "in accordance with Halacha" be added after the word "conversion" in the Law of Return

Agudat Israel organized a vote of no confidence in the government as a result of its refusal to add the term "in accordance with Halacha" after the word "conversion." Since then, this has been a constant topic in Jewish public dialogue, generating great tensions.

There is considerable public and political opposition in Israel and the Diaspora to the demand that only Orthodox conversions be recognized. These opponents believe and warn that it is precisely the addition of the term "in accordance with Halacha" which would bring about a rift in the Jewish people. The outcome would be an unbridgeable gulf separating the majority of Jews living outside Israel from the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The civil rights of countless Jews would be infringed.

They further maintain that the *proposed amendment conflicts with the outlook of a large majority of the Jewish people, for whom a subjective definition is the only way to express identity, and do not wish for an externally imposed objective definition. Yet another argument that they put forward is that to make use of legislative acts and substance places the autonomy of the religious institutions in jeopardy; they similarly have misapprehensions about using state institutions for enforcement purposes.

1. What was the outcome of the episode?
2. Explain the problems revealed - submit your explanations to the network.
3. Look at the proposed conversion law - submit your interpretation to the network.
4. How would you have suggested handling this case? Why? Submit your suggestions to the network.
5. React to the conclusions of your fellow students in class, in the group and on the network.
6. How would you explain the differences in opinions and suggestions?
7. And now - after hearing out all the other participants, reading opinions and suggestions which differ from your own - has anything changed in your positions, your opinions and your suggestions? Why? How do you feel? Submit your thoughts and ideas to the network.
8. What lessons can be drawn?
9. Suggest a change in the text of the Law of Return that reflectsyour opinion.
10. Submit your suggestions to the network for reactions.
11. How do you feel now?
12. What do you think now?

5. Under PM Menachem Begin

As long ago as 1977, Prime Minister Menachem Begin actually promised to include the above-mentioned amendment. However, under the pressure from delegations of Conservative and Reform rabbis, who were rushed over to Israel, the amendment was never introduced.

1. What was the outcome of this episode?
2. Try to explain the problems which were revealed - submit your interpretation to the network.
3. Look at the currently proposed conversion law - submit your explanations to the network.? Why? Submit your suggestions to the network.
4. React to the conclusions of your fellow students in class, in the group and on the network.
5. How would you explain the differences in opinions and suggestions?
6. And now - after hearing out all the other participants, reading opinions and suggestions which differ from your own - has anything changed in your positions, your opinions and your suggestions? Why? How do you feel? Submit your thoughts and ideas to the network.
7. What lessons can be drawn?
8. How would you suggest addressing the current crisis? - submit your suggestions to the network.
9. Suggest a change in the text of the Law of Return that reflects your opinion.
10. Submit your suggestions to the network for reactions.
11. How do you feel now?
12. What do you think now?