Non-Jewish Children From Previous Marriages

It is not uncommon for non-Jewish spouses of Jewish immigrants to have children from previous marriages. Although the non-Jewish partner is entitled to Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, their non-Jewish children from previous marriages are not. AMF estimates that there are approximately 2,500 children in Israel who fall into this category.

In order to initiate the naturalization process in Israel, these children must meet several criteria set down by the Ministry of Interior, including arrival in Israel with the parent entitled to receive citizenship under the Law of Return. Not meeting this eligibility criterion can lead to a situation in which the child is residing in Israel without any legal civil status whatsoever. In spite of repeated attempts on the part of parents to resolve their children's status, the Ministry is reluctant to respond to their appeals. 

The Ministry of Education, in contrast, takes a softer approach and grants these children fictitious ID numbers so that they can take their high school matriculation exams (the "Bagrut" exams). These children grow up and go to school in Israel, learn Hebrew and make Israeli friends. The Ministry of Interior's harsh regulations, however, do not take into consideration the welfare of these children and their desire to live close to their family in Israel. At the age of 18, these children may likely be deported from Israel to a foreign country with which they are hardly familiar. 

Personal Story: The Ostroshko Family, Netanya