Eitam calls on PM to revoke Interior Minister's authority on conversions

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 20 May 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

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May. 20, 2003
Eitam calls on PM to revoke Int. Minister's authority on conversions (UPDATE)
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF</P<

Construction and Housing Minister Effi Eitam (NRP) on Tuesday called on the prime minister to revoke Interior Minister Avraham Poraz's authority on conversions to Judaism and the granting of Israeli citizenship, after Poraz announced he would stop the automatic granting of citizenship to converts to Judaism in Israel.

"Citizenship will be granted based on humanitarian concerns such as uniting families, identification with Israel, or an ability to concretely contribute to Israeli society, in the case of artists, scientists or athletes," Poraz, of the centrist Shinui Party, has said.

"I want to disconnect the conversion business from the business of citizenship rights," Poraz is quoted as telling the Ynet web site. "People are converting not because they have returned to Judaism but because they want to receive rights in Israel. The conversion then becomes a farce."

In a press conference later Tuesday, Eitam accused Poraz conducting a series of provocations from the minute he took office, and called on Ariel Sharon to revoke his authority over conversions and the granting of Israeli citizenship.

According to reports, the National Religious Party has protested Poraz's remarks and wants him stripped of the right to grant citizenship.

The Law of Return entitles all Jews to automatic Israeli citizenship. The controversy is over how 'who is a Jew' is defined.