Non-Jewish Spouses of Israeli Citizens

The Law of Return automatically entitles Israeli citizenship to Jews - defined as those born to a Jewish mother - and to children or grandchildren of a Jewish father or grandfather. According to the Law of Return, Israeli citizenship is also granted to "the spouse of a Jew and to the spouse of a son/daughter or grandson/granddaughter of a Jew".  ("The Law of Return", 2nd Amendment, 1970).
Problems arise during the naturalization process of the non-Jewish spouse when the married spouses arrive in Israel separately or when the spouses are not married ("common law spouses"). In the former instance, the Ministry of Interior makes it difficult for the non-Jewish spouse to complete the naturalization process, even though he or she is entitled to Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. The Ministry's procedures can drag on for several years and the criteria which the Ministry uses to determine the outcome of these cases remain unclear. In cases of unmarried couples, it is extremely difficult to convince the Ministry that the non-Jewish spouse should be granted citizenship, even though the couple had lived together for years in their country of origin.
At some point in the naturalization process, non-Jewish spouses may find themselves without a valid Israeli visa. Even when they do possess a valid temporary visa, they are not always permitted to work legally to support their family, which prevents them from leading a normal family life. The fact that the couple often has children living with them in Israel does not change the Ministry's harsh policy and keeps them in a state of uncertainty, often deprived for years on end of their basic rights.

Personal Story: The Gubaretz Family, Be'er Sheva