Non-Jewish Parents of Israeli Minors and Soldiers

Non-Jews who arrived in Israel with their Jewish spouses, but had their legal civil status in Israel cancelled due to separation, divorce or death of the spouse who holds citizenship, are not permitted to remain in Israel even if they have offspring, minors or adults, who are Israeli citizens. The cancellation of the legal civil status of a non-Jewish parent directly affects his children, even when the latter hold Israeli citizenship. These children are often faced with the difficult decision of leaving the country with one parent or staying in Israel with the other parent.

It is critical for these children's well-being that they would not have to make this decision and that their non-Jewish parent will be allowed to continue to live in Israel. These children have already spent a number of years in Israel and typically wish to continue to be raised in Israel. In addition, these children's need to maintain ongoing contact with both parents when they are minors and their need for both parents' support while they serve in the Israeli army, are factors which the Ministry of Interior does not take into consideration when determining a non-Jewish parent's legal civil status. In most of these cases, the Ministry either abstains from granting these parents a visa or only grants them a temporary visa. An extension of this temporary visa is not ensured by the Ministry and is arbitrarily decided upon by Ministry officials. The lack of a permanent legal civil status for these parents creates instability for the entire family unit.

Personal Story: Story of the L. Family, Haifa