The Law Of Return

The Law of Return, 1950

Below is the full text of the Law of Return in both English and Hebrew:

English: The Law of Return, 1950

Right of Aliyah

  1. Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an oleh (immigrant).

Oleh's Visa
2. (a) Aliyah shall be by an oleh's visa.
(b) An oleh's visa shall be granted to every Jew who has expressed their desire to settle in Israel, unless the Minister of Immigration is satisfied that the applicant:

  1. Is engaged in an activity directed against the Jewish people; or

  2. Is likely to endanger public health or the security of the State; or

  3. Has a criminal past that may endanger public welfare.

Oleh's Certificate
3. (a) A Jew who has come to Israel and, subsequent to their arrival, expressed their desire to settle in Israel, may receive an oleh's certificate.
(b) The provisions of section 2(b) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the grant of an oleh's certificate, but a person shall not be considered as endangering public health on account of an illness contracted after arrival in Israel.

Definition of a Jew
4. For the purposes of this Law, "Jew" means a person who was born of a Jewish mother or has converted to Judaism and is not a member of another religion.

Implementation and Regulations
5. The Minister of Immigration is charged with the implementation of this Law and may make regulations for its implementation with the approval of the Knesset Committee for Constitution, Law, and Justice.

Amendments
6. The law has been amended to expand eligibility to include non-Jewish children, grandchildren, and spouses of Jews under specific conditions.

עברית: חוק השבות, התש"י–1950

זכות עלייה

  1. כל יהודי זכאי לעלות ארצה.

אשרת עולה
2. (א) העלייה תהיה על פי אשרת עולה.
(ב) אשרת עולה תינתן לכל יהודי שהביע את רצונו להשתקע בישראל, אלא אם שר הפנים שוכנע שהמבקש:

  1. עוסק בפעילות העלולה לפגוע בעם היהודי;

  2. עלול לסכן את בריאות הציבור או את ביטחון המדינה;

  3. בעל עבר פלילי העלול לסכן את שלום הציבור.

תעודת עולה
3. (א) יהודי שבא לישראל, ולאחר בואו הביע את רצונו להשתקע בה, רשאי לקבל תעודת עולה.
(ב) האמור בסעיף 2(ב) יחול, בשינויים המחויבים, גם על מתן תעודת עולה, אך לא יראו אדם כמי שמסכן את בריאות הציבור מחמת מחלה שנדבקה בו לאחר בואו לישראל.

הגדרת יהודי
4. לעניין חוק זה, "יהודי" פירושו מי שנולד לאם יהודייה או שנתגייר, ואינו בן דת אחרת.

ביצוע ותקנות
5. שר הפנים ממונה על ביצוע חוק זה, והוא רשאי להתקין תקנות לביצועו באישור ועדת החוקה, חוק ומשפט של הכנסת.

תיקונים
6. החוק תוקן כדי להרחיב את הזכאות לכלול ילדים, נכדים ובני זוג של יהודים בתנאים מסוימים.

The Law of Return, 1950, has undergone significant amendments since its enactment to address evolving social, legal, and political realities. Below is a detailed summary of the amendments and their implications:

1. Amendment of 1970

The most significant change to the Law of Return came in 1970, which expanded the eligibility criteria. This amendment clarified the definition of a "Jew" and extended the law to cover non-Jewish family members of Jews under certain conditions.

Key Provisions:

  • Expanded Eligibility:

    • The right to Aliyah was extended to:

      1. A child of a Jew.

      2. A grandchild of a Jew.

      3. The spouse of a Jew.

      4. The spouse of a child of a Jew.

      5. The spouse of a grandchild of a Jew.

  • Definition of a "Jew":

    • A "Jew" is defined as someone who was born to a Jewish mother or has converted to Judaism and is not a member of another religion.

  • Non-Jewish Family Members:

    • Even individuals who are not halachically Jewish (e.g., grandchildren or spouses of Jews) are granted the right to immigrate to Israel if they have familial ties to a Jew.

Implications:

  • The amendment was intended to address the needs of families with mixed Jewish and non-Jewish ancestry, particularly following the Holocaust, where many Jewish families had interfaith marriages or descendants.

2. Exclusions and Restrictions

Several provisions in the amendments clarified situations where the right to Aliyah can be denied. These exclusions include:

  • Activity Against the Jewish People:

    • Individuals who actively work against the Jewish people, such as those affiliated with anti-Semitic organizations, may be denied Aliyah.

  • Threats to Public Safety or Security:

    • Aliyah can be denied to individuals deemed a threat to Israel’s public safety, health, or national security.

  • Criminal Background:

    • Persons with a serious criminal record that poses a risk to public welfare may also be excluded.

3. The "Who is a Jew" Debate

The 1970 amendment sparked ongoing debates about the interpretation of "Who is a Jew" under Israeli law. While the amendment provided a broad definition, tensions persist, particularly between different Jewish denominations (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform).

Impact of the Debate:

  • Orthodox Standard in Israel:

    • The Chief Rabbinate recognizes only Orthodox conversions performed under its auspices or approved authorities, which can exclude Reform and Conservative converts.

  • Diaspora Inclusivity:

    • Many in the Jewish Diaspora have pushed for greater recognition of non-Orthodox conversions, leading to conflicts between Israeli authorities and Jewish communities abroad.

4. Amendments Related to Legal Challenges

Over the years, court rulings have clarified and influenced the application of the Law of Return:

  • Recognition of Non-Orthodox Conversions Abroad:

    • Israeli courts have ruled that non-Orthodox conversions performed outside Israel may be recognized for Aliyah purposes, even if not accepted by the Chief Rabbinate.

  • Conversions in Israel:

    • Conversions performed within Israel under non-Orthodox auspices are generally not recognized under the Law of Return unless validated by the Chief Rabbinate.

5. Security-Related Amendments

  • Post-Soviet Immigration:

    • With the large wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, many individuals eligible under the "grandchild clause" arrived in Israel, including some with little connection to Judaism. This raised concerns about maintaining Israel’s Jewish identity and led to stricter scrutiny of applications.

  • Terrorism Concerns:

    • In recent years, additional background checks have been implemented to address concerns about individuals using Aliyah for malicious purposes.

6. Recent Developments and Debates

  • Family Reunification:

    • Calls have been made to further amend the law to allow for easier family reunification for non-Jewish relatives of Israeli citizens.

  • 2021–2022 Debates:

    • Ongoing political debates have centered on whether to revise or tighten the "grandchild clause" to ensure a stronger connection to Jewish heritage.

Summary of Key Amendments

YearKey Change1970Expanded eligibility to include children, grandchildren, and spouses of Jews. Defined "Jew."VariousClarified grounds for denial (criminal records, anti-Jewish activity, public safety risks).VariousRecognized certain non-Orthodox conversions performed abroad.

Conclusion

The amendments to the Law of Return reflect Israel’s ongoing effort to balance its identity as both a Jewish state and a democratic society. While the law remains a cornerstone of Israel's immigration policy, its interpretation and application continue to evolve with the complexities of modern Jewish identity and global migration.