Amendment to Citizenship Law Passes First Reading in Knesset

An amendment to the citizenship law authorizing the Interior Minister to grant Israeli citizenship in absentia to Jews abroad who are physically prevented from coming to Israel passed its first reading in the Knesset today. There was some opposition from the pro-Moscow Rakach Communist faction which criticized the measure as “interference in the affairs of another country.” The Orthodox Paolei Agudat Israel objected on grounds that non-Jews who wanted to leave Russia might try to pass themselves off as Jews to “hitch a ride.” Interior Minister Joseph Burg of the National Religious Party defended the measure which he claimed was not directed against the Soviet Union. “The Soviet Union is not mentioned even once in the text,” he noted. It is generally conceded here however that the amendment was drafted primarily with Soviet Jews in mind. The present citizenship law grants citizenship to every Jewish immigrant the moment he sets foot in Israel. The amendment would make Israeli citizens of any Jew abroad who wants to become an Israeli but is not permitted to leave his country of origin. At present, Jews seeking exit permits from Soviet authorities must submit an invitation from relatives in Israel. Supporters of the amendment assume that if such Jews are recognized by Israel as citizens they might find it easier to obtain visas. The draft has been referred to committee and will be returned to the Knesset plenary for second and third readings.