Messianic Jews Claim Victory in Israeli Court
CBNNews.com
April 18, 2008
CBNNews.com - The Supreme Court of Israel ruled Wednesday that being a Messianic Jew cannot prevent Israeli citizenship if the Jewish descent is from the person's father's side.
Twelve Messianic Jewish believers brought their case to the court after being denied citizenship because of being part of the Messianic Jewish community.
"This is yet another battle won in our war to establish equality in Israel for the Messianic Jewish community just like every other legitimate stream of faith within the Jewish world," said Calev Myers, founder and chief counsel of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice.
His group represented the 12 men and women in court.
Many of the applicants received letters saying they would not receive citizenship because they "commit missionary activity." One was told that because she "committed missionary activity," she was "acting against the interests of the State of Israel and against the Jewish people."
"These allegations are not only untrue, but they also do not constitute legal grounds to deny one's right to immigrate to Israel," Myers explained in a press release.
Israeli Messianic Jews began speaking out more after an attack on Messianic teen, Ami Ortiz, last month during the Purim holiday.
According to halacha (Jewish religious law), the blood line through the father does not make his offspring Jewish.
Source: Jerusalem Institute of Justice
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