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I quit job, sold home, then Israel barred me

June 11, 2009 11:59

ByMarcus Dysch, Marcus Dysch

2 min read

A non-Jewish man and his Jewish-born wife say they are “living in complete limbo” after their Israeli citizenship application was rejected by the Jewish Agency.

Kevin and Andrea Ayres sold their home in Devon and quit their jobs 18 months ago in the hope of making aliyah to northern Israel.

Their application was made because Mrs Ayres had a Jewish grandmother.
Last month the couple, now living in temporary accommodation, began legal proceedings at the Israeli High Court in an attempt to force the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for citizenship, to grant them nationality.

Section 4A of the Law of Return states that anyone with a Jewish
parent or grandparent can claim Israeli citizenship, unless they have willingly changed their religion.