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STATE WANTS MORE TIME ON CONVERSION ISSUE
by Yuval Yoaz
Haaretz, July 17, 2004
The state asked the High Court of Justice yesterday for a further three-month extension to prepare its stance on the issue of recognizing reform and conservative conversions for purposes of immigration to Israel on the basis of the law of return.
When the court announced its decision on the subject of conversions and immigration six weeks ago it granted the state 45 days to prepare its response, but it has failed to do so.
A panel of 11 justices ruled that the law of return will also be applicable to those converted in Israel after having lived here permanently. However, it left to a later date the decision on whether reform and conservative conversions will be included in the application of the law of return.
"In view of the sensitivity of the issue and its implications, and after the High Court's decision was closely examined, it is now necessary to hold consultations and deliberations, at first in the professional echelons and then among the policy-makers," attorney Yochi Gnesin of the State Attorney's Office wrote yesterday.
The Center for Jewish Pluralism, representing the petitioners, is vehemently opposed to the delay.
"The case of the petitioners has been before the state for more than seven years," attorney Nicole Maor wrote in response to the state request, "and since 1999 it is dependent on the court. We ask the court to reject the cynical attempt of the state, which lacks any legal justification and whose motives are political, to prevent a ruling in the case of the petitioners."
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