Bnei Menashe - Israel Halts Conversions

Israel Halts Conversions

November 2005: the Israeli government halts all conversions of the Bnei Menashe in India, citing strained relations between the two countries after Indian officials express concern about the conversions; they indicate that mass conversions are considered illegal in India. Concern may have been triggered after a task force from the Rabbinic Court travelled to India in September 2005 to complete the conversion process for 218 Bnei Menashe.

The decision by the Israeli government leads to criticism from Bnei Menashe supporters who say that Israeli officials have failed to explain to the Indian government that the rabbis were not proselytising, but rather formalizing the conversions of Bnei Menashe who had already accepted Judaism.

The Indian government's complaint is also criticized by some Hindu groups in India, who claim that the Indian government takes Christian complaints more seriously than theirs, and that Hindus have complained for years about Christian proselytizing without receiving any governmental response.

July 2006: Israeli Immigration Absorption Minister Zeev Boim says that the 218 Bnei Menashe will "be allowed to come here, but first the government must decide what its policy will be towards those who have yet to (formally) convert".

Freund threatens to take the minister to the Supreme Court if he does not immediately facilitate the arrival of the Bnei Menashe.

November 2006: 218 Bnei Menashe arrive in Israel and are resettled in Upper Nazareth and Karmiel. Michael Freund gives the Jerusalem Post several reasons for settling the newcomers in the North including the fact that the government has encouraged more people to settle in the Galilee and the Negev. "And after what the North went through this summer during the Lebanon war, it is especially meaningful that the Bnei Menashe will help to strengthen and revitalize this part of Israel".

September 2007: 230 Bnei Menashe arrive in Israel.

October 2007: Signalling a major change in policy, the Israeli government says that entry into Israel for the purpose of mass conversion and citizenship will in future have to be considered by the full Cabinet, rather than by the Interior Minister alone. A government source is reported as saying "After all, when the whole government meets to vote on something, it can't decide on anything."

This decision is expected to be a major obstacle in Shavei Israel's endeavours to bring all Bnei Menashe to Israel. This is because the immigration of the Bnei Menashe has previously been managed by bringing in large groups of up to 230, rather than by bringing in individuals.

Michael Freund promises to fight against the decision .