Knesset Prepares to Debate Amendment Which Determines Who is Jewish

Government and opposition forces inside and out of the coalition prepared today for tomorrow’s Knesset debate on an amendment to the Law of Return which would establish religious criteria as the sole determinant of who is entitled to be registered as Jewish by nationality. The legislative measure was drafted by the Cabinet to comply with demands by the Chief Rabbinate and the Orthodox political parties that their concept of Jewish nationality and religion as one in the same be written into the law of the land.

The Government initiated the legislation primarily to avert a threatened walk-out by the National Religious Party over last month’s Supreme Court ruling that an Israeli may be registered as Jewish by nationality even if he is not a Jew by religion. The Government easily defeated a motion of no confidence on the matter in the Knesset last week. But forces opposed to what they regard as appeasement of the Orthodox establishment are gathering strength.

The State List, an opposition faction headed by former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, has been lobbying for a secret ballot on the measure. This would permit many Labor Party members opposed to the bill to vote against it without risking retaliation by the Party leadership for breach of discipline. The State List, which has only four seats in the Knesset has asked Mr. Ben Gurion to speak on the issue before the Knesset tomorrow. While the former Premier has generally gone along with the religious bloc on matters involving religious issues, he does not accept the idea that Jewish religion and nationality are inseparable. He is expected to oppose the amendment. Today’s cabinet session was also devoted to a detailed report on developments on the international scene by Foreign Minister Abba Eban. Mr. Eban leaves next week on an official visit to West Germany and other European countries.