Gov't won't recognize non-Orthodox converts
By Relly Sa'ar
Weds., November 17, 2004

The State of Israel will not recognize non-Orthodox conversions for the purpose of granting Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return.

However, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz objects to the government's position and believes the state should recognize reform and conservative conversions. In Poraz's view, the more lenient conversion procedures of the reform and conservative movements could solve the problem of hundreds of thousands of Israeli residents who are eligible under the Law of Return but whose conversion is effectively prevented by stringent Orthodox requirements.

Poraz's position is supported by Population Registry data, which shows there are 258,000 immigrants living in Israel who are not registered as Jews but are eligible for civic status under the Law of Return.

The government's position, which is careful not to alter the status quo on conversion and preserves the Orthodox monopoly, was formulated Monday in a legal opinion by Yochi Genessin, the Justice Ministry official in charge of High Court of Justice petitions.

The government's position will be presented to the High Court, which is expected to rule in coming weeks on whether it recognizes the non-Orthodox conversion of 17 foreign workers and tourists who have lived in Israel for years.

A High Court panel of 11 justices ruled several months ago that the Law of Return shall also apply to people converted in Israel (overseas conversions had long been recognized). The state requested a continuance of several months to present its position on recognizing reform or conservative conversions, so the High Court left that matter outstanding.

The state's submission to the court reflects the position of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

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