Israeli Citizenship

Israeli citizenship is an option for Jews immigrating to Israel, and is guaranteed under the Law of Return. This law was the first passed after Israel became a nation in 1948. The intent of the Law of Return was to make it possible for Jews to return to their homeland from any place in the world. To understand the full context of this law, it must be interpreted within the scope of the political environment within which it was enacted.

For non-Jews, there are multiple ways of obtaining recognition as an Israeli national. One way to be recognized with Israeli citizenship is by naturalization. Naturalization can be defined in part as currently living in Israel for three of the past five years, stating an intention to remain in Israel, and taking a loyalty oath to the State of Israel. Many other criteria must be met in order to obtain Israeli citizenship.

More recently, the immigration law and policy for Israel has been evaluated by members of the Israeli parliament who are seeking to impose specific criteria to deny Israeli citizenship to illegal aliens, Israeli spouses living in other nations, and more. There is a move to make it more difficult for non-Jews to become citizens of Israel, particularly as immigration law relates to Palestinian-Arab refugees.

Today, there are many organizations working diligently to assist Jews in returning to their homeland and obtaining Israeli citizenship. Christian Zionists, such as John Hagee, believe in and actively support the efforts of Jews looking to find their way back home. This support is based on the belief that Israel becoming a nation and the Jews returning to the land of their fathers is a literal fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament.