Jerusalem U Presents Law of Return: World Jewry and Mass Immigration
In this episode of Israel History Explained we’re diving into the ingathering of the exiles or Kibbutz Galuyot, one of the central missions of the state of Israel and the Zionist movement and talking about the Law of Return. This sometimes controversial law means that Israel considers any Jew, no matter where they live, to be potential citizens.
It explains why Israel has gone out of its way to rescue Jews from countries such as Yemen, Ethiopia and even Saudi Arabia in a series of daring operations including Operation Magic Carpet, Operation Moses and Operation Solomon.
We ask if there was an ulterior motive to encouraging mass emigration from Arab countries in the early days of the state and we also take a look at how the immigrant refugees were (and still are) welcomed in their new home. Ultimately, it also raises the ongoing and always contentious question of what it means to be a Jew in the eyes of the State of Israel.
So, let us know your opinion on the Law of Return, the position of immigrant communities in Israel and any of the other topics touched on in this video in the comments below.
