Life in Israel
In 1962, authorities in Israel were accused by articles in the Indian press of racism towards the Bene Israel. In the case that caused the controversy, the Chief Rabbi of Israel ruled that before registering a marriage between Indian Jews and Jews not belonging to that community, the registering rabbi should investigate the lineage of the Indian applicant for possible non-Jewish descent, and in case of doubt, require the applicant to perform conversion or immersion. The alleged discrimination may actually be related to the fact that some religious authorities believe that the Bene Israel were not fully Jewish because of inter-marriage during their long separation. In 1964 the Israeli Rabbinate declared that the Bene Israel are "full Jews in every respect".
A full description of life in Israel for the Bene Israel community can be found in the following reference. The town of Beersheva in Southern Israel has the largest community of Bene Israel. There is also a sizable community in Ramla. As this community is with modest means and little political activism, they have limited economic activity with India and limited political status in Israel.
Read more about this topic: Bene Israel
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