WASHINGTON – US Jewish organizations hailed the High Court of Justice decision on Monday to recognize conversions by the Reform and Masorti (Conservative) movements in Israel for the purposes of citizenship, ending a 15-year legal saga.
Eight of the nine justices agreed with all aspects of the landmark ruling, while Justice Noam Sohlberg preferred to delay applying it 12 months from the swearing-in of a new government.
“AJC welcomes the Israeli High Court’s decision to include those who undergo non-Orthodox conversions in Israel in the Law of Return,” the American Jewish Committee tweeted. “We must continue to advocate for a strong, pluralistic Israeli society.”
The Anti-Defamation League said the ruling was “in line with de-facto recognition of conversions conducted abroad that have long been recognized by the State of Israel.”
“This long overdue decision is an important step towards achieving religious pluralism in Israel,” it said in a statement. “It is also a testament to the decades-long hard work of ADL’s valued partners in Reform and Conservative movements.”
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said the decision was years in the making “and reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Jewish life in Israel and around the world.”
“Today, the court has affirmed the reality that the Jewish people are stronger because of the contributions of Reform and Conservative movements and their commitment to bringing more Jews into the Jewish People,” he said. “We hope this ruling establishes a precedent that will lead to further recognition of the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel.”
“Many individuals were waiting in limbo for years for their status to be confirmed,” Jacobs said.