Israelis Rule Against Citizenship for Jews Who Believe in Jesus
Episcopal News Service. January 10, 1990 [90011B]
Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah are not entitled to automatic citizenship under the Law of Return, according to an Israeli Supreme Court ruling. The ruling, published on December 26, upheld an Orthodox religious interpretation of the law, which forms the basis of Jewish immigration to Israel. The law currently defines a Jew as "a person born of a Jewish mother or who has been converted and is not a member of another religion." The court ruling declared that "those who believe in Jesus are, in fact, Christians." Leaders of the messianic group, Jews for Jesus, have denounced the court ruling.