The Christian Communities and Religious Conversions
This sub-unit is engaged in three main spheres of activity:
1. Certifications of Religious Conversion
2. The Christian Religious Courts
3. Certification of Land Transactions to which Churches are a party
1. Certifications of Religious Conversion
A. Background
Under a Decision of the Knesset from May 2005, a Government Decision was ratified as
to the transfer of areas of activity from Ministry to Ministry. In this Decision, the
authority was transferred to the Minister of Justice in relation to changes of religion that
are not a conversion pursuant to the Religious Community (Conversion) Ordinance. In
this context, Advocate Yossi Hershler, Senior Commissioner (for the affairs of the
Christian Communities and Religious Conversions), was granted the power of the District
Commissioner, and as such is defined in the Ordinance, for the purpose of certifying
religious conversions granted by the clergy.
B. The service
Consequently, in order for a change of religion to be accorded legal effect under Israeli
law – and for the change of religion to be registered in the Population Administration –
certification thereof by Advocate Hershler is required. The application is made to
Advocate Hershler in cases in which a person changes his religion from one community
to another, or when he retracts a previous change of religion.
C. The process
Applicants wishing to obtain certification of a change of religion that has taken place
should bring with them and produce during the identification meeting, all the following
documents. Following receipt of the aforementioned certification, the conversion
applicant applies to the offices of the Population Register, of the Ministry of the Interior,
in the area in which he resides, and the change of religion is effected there after signature
of all the necessary documents, in the Population Administration.
D. Necessary documents
1. An Israeli Identity Card or foreign passport in the case of a person who is not a citizen
or resident of Israel, and does not possess an Israeli Identity Card.
2. A one page photocopy of the Identity Card and of the Identity Card Counterfoil.
3. In the case of a person who is neither a citizen nor a resident of Israel and is not in
possession of an Israeli Identity Card – a one page photocopy of the passport and visa.
4. An extract of the original registration from the Population Register.
5. The original certificate issued by the relevant member of the clergy.
2. The Christian Religious Courts – upon the winding-up of the Ministry of
Religions, responsibility on the subject of the Christian Religious Courts was
transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Section 54 of the 1922 Privy Council,
grants judicial power to the Ecclesiastical-Christian Courts with regard to
members of their communities in matters concerning marriage and divorce,
maintenance of wife and children, custody of children and guardianship,
succession, adoption and matters concerning the Wakf and the Holy See. In Israel
there are ten recognized Christian communities. With the exception of the
aforementioned Section 54, the law does not govern the establishment of the
[religious] courts, the appointment of religious court judges, rules of procedure,
etc.
3. Certification of Land Transactions to which Churches are a party – in respect
of any transaction requiring registration in the Land Registers (Tabu) under the
procedures of the registration and land settlement division, the duly empowered
officials in respect of registration apply to Advocate Yossi Hershler in order to
obtain his recommendation in respect of such registration. The reason for this is
that the churches are not corporations governed by law, and every case must be
considered on its specific facts.
Director – Advocate Yossi Hershler, Senior Commissioner for the affairs of the
Christian communities and Religious Conversions.
Contact procedures:
Yossi Hershler – times of availability to the public
Appointments with members of the public by prior arrangement
Address:
29 Salaheddin Street, P.O. Box 49029, Postal Code 91490, Jerusalem.
Fax:
02-64667890
Telephone:
02-6466676