 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
|
DISPUTE BETWEEN MINISTER OF INTERIOR AND JEWISH AGENCY CHAIRMAN DURING DEBATE ON AMENDMENTS TO LAW OF RETURN Meridor Strongly Opposes Minister Eli Yishai's Intention to Introduce Changes to Law of Return JAFI Chairman Sallai Meridor strongly criticized Minister of Interior, Eli Yishai's intention to enact amendments to the Law of Return in order to restrict the number of olim not halachically defined as Jews, from entering the country. "Israel has become a country of migrants. The Law of Return should be amended so as to close the existing loopholes through which attempts are made to abuse the law and obtain the benefits of the absorption package, those involved in the expanding industry of forged documents, and those relying on fictitious marriages, enter the country". Interior Minister Eli Yishai made this statement at a preliminary session of the Knesset Aliyah and Klitah committee, following publication of his intention to amend the Law of Return. It should be mentioned that the Law of Return was enacted with the establishment of the State, in part as a response to the law of the Third Reich, which persecuted Jews and their descendants down to the third generation. It was therefore determined that even the grandchildren of Jews (who halachically may no longer be Jews) could make aliyah through the Law of Return. Committee Chairman, MK Zvi Hendel, said that there is nothing wrong in reviewing the Law of Return on condition that those doing so are aware of the heavy responsibility which they carry and the repercussions of any amendment with regard to aliyah and the Zionist act. JAFI Chairman Sallai Meridor emphasized that there is no other law which has greater influence and is more important than the Law of Return and warned that any change in the law, even if unintentional, could be interpreted as a slap in the face for the Jewish people and affect aliyah. "The solidarity of the entire Israeli society is vital for Israel's national spirit. JAFI Jewish identity programs in the FSU are attended by more than 50,000 people," said Meridor. He emphasized that one of the most important struggles facing the State of Israel is the demographic struggle and we must therefore make every effort to bring closer those who, in recent years, have been distanced from Judaism for political reasons. MKs Bronfman, Solotkin, Brailovsky, Landver, Nudelman, Pinker and Rieger - all olim, also attended the meeting themselves.
|
