A limited government forum approved a change to the Law of Return this week, allowing the non-Jewish grandson of a Jew to be eligible to immigrate to Israel only together with his grandfather. The change, whose next stop on the legislative route is a first-reading vote in the Knesset, is designed to prevent masses of non-Jews from continuing to be eligible for automatic citizenship. Interior Ministry figures show that already, more than one-fourth of Israelis are not Jewish, a phenomenon that threatens the Jewish character of the State. The new amendment was initiated by Herut MK Michael Kleiner.
Several parties object to the change, especially Yisrael B\'Aliyah - which is even threatening to quit the government if the change is approved. Even the National Union party says that now is not the right time to change the Law of Return. The newest MK, Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of the left-wing Labor-Meimad, is actually in favor of the change, saying that preserving Israel\'s Jewish majority is at least as important as preserving military security.
Several parties object to the change, especially Yisrael B\'Aliyah - which is even threatening to quit the government if the change is approved. Even the National Union party says that now is not the right time to change the Law of Return. The newest MK, Rabbi Yehuda Gilad of the left-wing Labor-Meimad, is actually in favor of the change, saying that preserving Israel\'s Jewish majority is at least as important as preserving military security.