Israel did not allow two Jews to settle in the country

Israel did not allow two Jews to settle in the country

Two Jews - a British citizen and a US citizen - wanted to settle in Israel. They had previously obtained from the Jewish Agency (an organization that helps Jews move to the country) confirmation of their right to Aliyah, i.e. immigration to Israel, which Jews are entitled to under the Law of Return.

However, the authorities suspended the procedure enabling them to settle in the country because - as reported by the Haaretz daily - they were involved in protecting Palestinians from settler violence in the occupied West Bank. The Population and Immigration Authority did not provide a reason for suspending their procedures, but in a response to Haaretz it did not deny that it was related to their activities on behalf of the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, two activists claim that they have never participated in acts of violence or criminal activity in the West Bank.

The first such case

According to Haaretz, these are the first known cases of Alia being blocked due to its activities on behalf of Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel has previously deported foreign activists, including Jews, but has not yet denied immigration rights to Jews from around the world for this reason.

The Law of Return essentially grants all Jews the right to immigrate to Israel and obtain Israeli citizenship. This also applies to Jewish children, grandchildren and spouses.