Opinion ID: 802083
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Israel’s Nationality Law and Law of Return

Text: Israel’s Nationality Law sets forth the procedures that immigrants must follow to obtain Israeli nationality. That law, as amended, states: Israel nationality is acquired – by return (section 2), by residence in Israel (section 3), by birth (section 4)[,] by birth and residence in Israel (section 4A)[,] by naturalisation (sections 5 to 8) or by grant (section 9). There shall be no Israel nationality save under this Law. Nationality Law, 5712–1952, 6 LSI 50, § 1, as amended by Nationality (Amendment No. 2) Law, 5728–1968, § 1; see Addendum. The dispute in this case is focused on nationality acquired “by return” or “by naturalisation” under Israel’s Nationality Law. 6 Nationality “by Return” Section 2 of Israel’s Nationality Law describes the requirements for obtaining Israeli nationality “by return.” The relevant portions of Section 2, as amended, read as follows: (a) Every ‘oleh under the Law of Return shall become an Israel national. (b) Israel nationality by return is acquired– ... (2) by a person having come to Israel as an ‘oleh after the establishment of the State – with effect from the day of his ‘aliyah; ... (4) by a person who has received an ‘oleh’s certificate under section 3 of the Law of Return – with effect from the day of the issue of the certificate. (c) This section does not apply – ... (2) to a person of full age who immediately before the day of his aliyah or immediately before the day of the issue of his oleh’s certificate was a foreign national and who, on or before that day or within three months thereafter and while still a foreign national declares that he does not wish to become an Israel national . . . . Nationality Law, 5712–1952, 6 LSI 50, § 2 (footnotes omitted) (citations omitted), as amended by Nationality (Amendment No. 2) Law, 5728–1968, § 2; see Addendum. “‘[O]leh and ‘aliyah mean respectively a Jew immigrating, and the immigration of a Jew, into the Land of Israel.” Nationality Law, 5712–1952, 6 LSI 50, Translator’s Note. 7 The Law of Return, which, as noted above, is expressly incorporated by the Nationality Law, reads, in relevant part, as follows: 1. Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an oleh. 2. (a) Aliyah shall be by oleh’s visa. (b) An oleh’s visa shall be granted to every Jew who has expressed his desire to settle in Israel, unless the Minister of the Interior is satisfied that the applicant
Jewish people; or
security of the State; or
endanger public welfare. 3. (a) A Jew who has come to Israel and subsequent to his arrival has expressed his desire to settle in Israel may, while still in Israel, receive an oleh’s certificate. (b) The restrictions specified in section 2(b) shall apply also to the grant of an oleh’s certificate, but a person shall not be regarded as endangering public health on account of an illness contracted after his arrival in Israel. Law of Return, 5710–1950, 4 LSI 114, §§ 1–3, (1949–1950) (footnote omitted), as amended by Law of Return (Amendment 5714–1954); see Addendum. It is plain from the foregoing provisions that nationality “by return” in Israel turns on the requirements of Israel’s Law of Return. The Nationality Law and the Law of Return are expressly integrated to make this point obvious. Thus, for 8 example, Section 2(b)(2) of the Nationality Law corresponds to section 2 of the Law of Return, the latter of which states that a Jew may enter Israel as an oleh, on an oleh’s visa. See Law of Return, 5710–1950, 4 LSI 114, § 2(a). And section 2(b)(4) of the Nationality Law corresponds to section 3 of the Law of Return, the latter of which states that a Jew who otherwise enters Israel may apply for an oleh’s certificate. See id. § 3(a). It is also noteworthy that, under the Law of Return, Israel’s Minister of the Interior may deny applications for either an oleh’s visa or an oleh’s certificate upon finding the applicant “(1) is engaged in an activity directed against the Jewish people; or (2) is likely to endanger public health or the security of the State; or (3) is a person with a criminal past, likely to endanger public welfare.” Id. §§ 2(b), 3(b), as amended by Law of Return (Amendment 5714–1954); see Addendum. In other words, conferral of nationality “by return” is secured pursuant to application, not by automatic operation of law. Nationality “by Naturalisation” Section 5 of Israel’s Nationality Law addresses the requirements for an individual to obtain nationality “by naturalisation.” The law states: (a) A person of full age, not being an Israel national, may obtain Israel nationality by naturalisation if – (1) he is in Israel; and (2) he has been in Israel for three years out of five years preceding the day of the submission of his application; and (3) he is entitled to reside in Israel permanently; and (4) he has settled, or intends to settle, in Israel; and (5) he has some knowledge of the Hebrew language; and 9 (6) he has renounced his prior nationality or has proved that he will cease to be a foreign national upon becoming an Israel national. (b) Where a person has applied for naturalisation, and he meets the requirements of subsection (a), the Minister of the Interior, if he thinks fit to do so, shall grant him Israel nationality by the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. (c) Prior to the grant of nationality, the applicant shall make the following declaration: “I declare that I will be a loyal national of the State of Israel.” (d) Nationality is acquired on the day of the declaration. Nationality Law, 5712–1952, 6 LSI 51, § 5.