Important Legal Victory ( Halleluyah !)
In a landmark decision today, the Supreme Court of Israel ratified a settlement between twelve Messianic Jewish believers and the State of Israel, which states that being a Messianic Jew does not prevent one from receiving citizenship in Israel under the Law of Return or the Law of Citizenship, if one is a descendent of Jews on one's father's side (and thus not Jewish according to halacha).
This Supreme Court decision brought an end to a legal battle that has carried on for two and a half years. The applicants were represented by Yuval Grayevsky and Calev Myers from the offices of Yehuda Raveh & Co., and their legal costs were subsidized by the Jerusalem Institute of Justice.
All twelve of the applicants were denied citizenship solely based on grounds that they belong to the Messianic Jewish community. Most of them received letters stating that they would not receive citizenship because they "commit missionary activity". One of the applicants was told by a clerk at the Ministry of Interior that because she "committed missionary activity", she is "acting against the interests of the State of Israel and against the Jewish people". These allegations are not only untrue, but they also do not constitute legal grounds to deny one's right to immigrate to Israel.
This important victory paves the way for persons who have Jewish ancestry on their father's side to immigrate to Israel freely, whether or not they belong to the Messianic Jewish community. This is yet another battle won in our war to establish equality in Israel for the Messianic Jewish community just like every other legitimate stream of faith within the Jewish world.
Update on Ami Ortiz
Many of you have asked for an update on the condition of Ami Ortiz, the Messianic youth who was injured in a hate-crime bombing several weeks ago. Ami's physical wounds are healing well and he was able to walk around his room today for the first time since he was hospitalized. Ami will be undergoing a vascular operation in his right forearm for the removal of an abscess. Once this is completed, he will start physical therapy. The doctors hope that he will be back to full physical capacity within a year and a half. Please continue to pray for emotional healing for the whole family. Your postcards bring real encouragement to Ami. Please keep sending them to: Ami Ortiz, P.O. Box 1903, Ariel 40700, Israel.
If you would like to send a monetary gift to the Ortiz family and receive a valid USA tax deduction receipt, please donate through our donation page. You will need to send us a separate e-mail message specifying the amount of your donation and that it is designated for Ami, and the Jerusalem Institute of Justice will send 100% of your support to the Ortiz family without deducting administrative fees.
Alternatively, you can make out a check out to "David Ortiz" and send it to: The Jerusalem Institute of Justice, P.O. Box 7722, Jerusalem, 91077, Israel.
Your support of the Ortiz family and your support of our ongoing efforts to pioneer justice in the nation of Israel are greatly appreciated.
Wishing you happy and blessed holidays,
Calev Myers
Founder and Chief Counsel
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Important Legal Victory
