Repatriation to Israel through a DNA test

Getting Israeli citizenship by descent is one of the most common ways to become the country’s resident. There are usually certain requirements that one has to meet to get the country’s passport this way, obviously including proving that your ancestors are related to the country. But can doing a sole DNA test suffice?

This is what we’re aiming to find in this article. We’ll take a look at how DNA testing works for the law of return, its legality, and how the process works. Is it banned? Is it illegal? Is it proof that’s good enough to claim Jewish heritage? Let’s find the answers!

The Law of Return and DNA Testing

The Law of Return gives Jews and people with Jewish ancestors or spouses the right to move to the country and become its citizens. The process requires quite collecting a lot of paperwork to prove your descent. And obviously, you might start wondering whether the DNA testing that shows Jewish ancestry would suffice.

Mainly, it works as a way to prove your ties to a specific person, such as your relative who’s already a citizen of the country. This can be useful if you don’t have documents proving that you’re family. But if your case doesn’t meet these rare requirements, then it’s better to try repatriation using traditional means. For example, you can collect documents to prove your Jewish ancestry. There are many ways to do so. But if your case doesn’t meet these requirements, then it’s better to try repatriation using traditional means. For example, you can collect documents to prove your Jewish ancestry. There are many ways to do so.

Start by gathering vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates from family members. These documents can often be obtained from local government offices or online databases. Next, explore synagogue archives, which may hold membership lists or records of life cycle events like bar/bat mitzvahs.

Census records can also be valuable, as they may indicate religious affiliation or ethnic background. Additionally, consider reaching out to Jewish genealogical societies, which often have resources and expertise in tracing Jewish ancestry.

Some online genealogical platforms can provide access to historical documents and family trees that might reveal connections to Jewish ancestors.

Don’t underestimate the power of oral history; interviewing older relatives can uncover stories and details that lead to important documentation. Lastly, if you’re comfortable, DNA testing can provide clues about your heritage and connect you with distant relatives who may have already done some genealogical research. Collecting a combination of these documents and resources will strengthen your case for repatriation to Israel.

Is DNA testing legal in Israel for repatriation?

As previously mentioned, relying solely on DNA testing is not sufficient to establish your ancestry and obtain citizenship of a country. However, this process is legitimate and can be a useful method to confirm a genetic connection to a Jewish individual. For instance, if you have close relatives in the country but lack supporting documentation of your familial relationship, DNA testing can be instrumental. While the procedure should not be lengthy, it is essential to convince the authorities and court of the necessity of conducting the test, which can be challenging. Regardless, if you believe your situation warrants such action, it is crucial to consider the types of family connections that may support your right to repatriation. Here is a list of eligible individuals for repatriation; review it to determine if you meet the criteria.

• Individuals of Jewish heritage whose lineage traces back to a Jewish mother.
• Offspring of Jews with a Jewish father (where “Jewish father” denotes a man who has a Jewish mother).
• Grandchildren of Jews with a Jewish grandfather.
• Partners of Jews who are relocating to Israel alongside their spouses.
• Partners of children of Jews who are moving to Israel with their spouses.
• Partners of grandchildren of Jews who are returning to Israel with their spouses, who are also grandchildren of Jews.
• Widows of Jewish individuals who have not remarried following their spouse’s passing (refer to the related article for more details).
• Widowers of Jewish women who have not remarried after their wife’s death.
• Widows of children of Jews who have not remarried (under the new state regulations, these widows may only qualify for A5 residency status).
• Widowers of children of Jews who have not remarried

If it appears that you fall under this category, you can then begin gathering the required documents (the procedure discussed in our previous paragraph). In case this endeavor proves unsuccessful due to a lack of sufficient documentation, DNA testing could serve as a final option, supplementing other evidence of your Jewish heritage.

DNA Testing as Part of Repatriation Process

While DNA tests aren’t banned in the country, they don’t play a primary role in the repatriation process. Merely being 100% Jewish based on test results does not guarantee entry into the country. However, DNA tests are helpful if you have a relative with Israeli citizenship and need to prove your familial relationship. In such instances, all procedures must receive government approval, meaning that commercially available at-home DNA tests like those from 23andMe and similar services are not accepted. Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA’s validity is not acknowledged by authorities, despite its significance in tracing genetic ancestry and evolution. Research on mitochondrial DNA in Jewish populations has offered insights into their historical origins and migration paths. For example, a notable study from 2000 revealed a common ancestor shared by many Jews in Europe and the Middle East.

The Process of Taking a DNA Test in Israel

If testing is deemed essential for your case, then the process is rather straightforward. To proceed with DNA testing, one must obtain authorization from the court or other relevant authorities (usually done within the country, although there are specific consular procedures for validating relations abroad), conduct the test at approved facilities or clinics, and await the results. Overall, the entire process, from initiating legal proceedings to receiving the test outcomes, typically spans around 3 months. Despite the fact that the procedure looks fast, everything leading up to it is quite convoluted, complicated, and we strongly recommend getting legal help from the experts. It would be quite difficult to do all of it on your own.

FAQ

Let’s answer the most common questions related to DNA testing used as a means to repatriate to the country. We’ll cover its legality/illegality, the way whether the method is sufficient for proving your birthrate, and other means of repatriation. The three sections below we’ll help you get the answers!