Who Benefits From Israel's Law Of Return?

The Law of Return is an Israeli law

Jews and their spouses

The Law of Return grants every Jew in the world the right to settle in Israel

Gentile converts to Judaism

The process of conversion to Judaism involves adopting the Jewish religion and becoming a member of the Jewish ethnoreligious community. The specific requirements for conversion may vary depending on the sponsoring denomination, and a conversion performed by one Jewish denomination may not be recognised by another. In general, the process includes circumcision for males, immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh), and acceptance of the Jewish commandments. Additionally, individuals seeking to convert are expected to study Jewish theology, rituals, history, culture, and customs, as well as participate in the Jewish community.

Once the conversion is complete, Gentile converts to Judaism can apply for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. This law grants Jews and certain non-Jews, such as spouses and descendants of Jews, the right to settle in Israel and obtain Israeli citizenship. It is important to note that the Law of Return does not apply to residents of the West Bank or the Gaza Strip due to the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law. Additionally, the right to an oleh certificate, which confirms the person's immigrant status, may be denied if the applicant is deemed a threat to the security or public health of Israel, or has a criminal record.

While the Law of Return offers a path to Israeli citizenship for Gentile converts to Judaism, it is important to note that marriage in Israel may have additional requirements. For example, the Israeli Rabbinate, a purely Orthodox body, does not recognise non-Orthodox conversions for marriage purposes. As a result, individuals who convert through non-Orthodox denominations may face challenges when seeking to marry in Israel.

Non-Jewish family members

The Law of Return grants every Jew in the world the right to settle in Israel

Non-Israeli Jews

The Law of Return grants all Jews

Palestinian refugees

The Palestinian right of return is the principle that Palestinian refugees and their descendants have a right to return to their ancestral land, now part of Israel and the Palestinian territories, and to the property they or their forebears left behind or were forced to leave during the 1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight (a result of the 1948 Palestine war) and the 1967 Six-Day War. The number of Palestinian refugees and their descendants is estimated to exceed four million.

The right of return was initially formulated on 27 June 1948 by United Nations mediator Folke Bernadotte. Proponents of the right of return hold that it is a human right, protected under international law. They argue that those who opt not to return, or for whom return is not feasible, should receive compensation.

Opponents of the right of return argue that it is an unrealistic demand with no basis in international law. They say that if Israel were to absorb approximately five million Palestinians, in addition to its already existing large Arab population, it would lead to the demise of the Jewish state.

The Law of Return, an Israeli law passed on 5 July 1950, grants Jews, people with one or more Jewish grandparents, and their spouses the right to relocate to Israel and acquire Israeli citizenship. Critics claim that the Law of Return runs counter to the claims of a democratic state, and that it is discriminatory because Israel does not grant a similar right of return to Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian right of return has been a very sensitive issue for Palestinians and Arab countries in the region since the creation of the refugee problem as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, passed on 11 December 1948, recognised the right of return for the first time. The resolution states that refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return.

The right of return has been of great importance to Palestinians since 1948. The majority of Palestinians consider that their homeland was lost during the establishment of Israel in 1948, and see the right of return as crucial to a peace agreement with Israel, even if the vast majority of surviving refugees and their descendants do not exercise that right.

Frequently asked questions