Israel’s rabbinate “has been performing genetic testing on Israelis from the former Soviet Union, to check if they are ‘genetically Jewish’ as a condition for marriage registration”, according to Ynet.

The new site reported that “at least 20 couples have come forward after having been asked to undergo the procedure in the past year.”

Ynet added:

“Although the existence of such tests was initially denied by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau admitted to having requested that some couples prove their Jewish status. Lau claimed those were isolated incidents and there was no coercion.”

Israelis ‘undergo Jewish DNA test before being allowed to marry’ | RTNews24 Read more https://t.co/ovHWOrXx2v pic.twitter.com/qewmiOd7aY

— RTNews24 (@rtnews24en) March 12, 2019

Ynet’s investigation revealed that “the complicated procedure was undertaken not only by the couples themselves but also by their relatives.”

The article stated:

“In one instance, a young woman who went to the rabbinate before her wedding was asked to conduct a DNA test along with her mother and her aunt, in order to eliminate the possibility that her mother was adopted … The young woman was told that if she refused the request, her marriage application would be denied.”

https://t.co/XDnBtOn2bf. Yet another reason to take control of marriage and divorce in #Israel out of the hands of the Chief Rabbinate. https://t.co/XDnBtOn2bf

— Dog Source (@dog_source) March 11, 2019

The paper added:

“According to the evidence accumulated by Ynet, these instances are examples of what appears to be a growing phenomenon where those applying to register for marriage, are being asked to undergo genetic testing if they want to have their requests granted.”

Lau commented in response:

“Unfortunately, there are immigrants who, despite their eligibility under the Law of Return, are not defined as Jews according to Halacha. In a few cases, there are those who claim to be Jews, but don’t possess the necessary documents to confirm it…or we find contradictions between their statements and what we would uncover about them”.

Is Israel a democracy or a theocracy? https://t.co/e9IHwSejoG

— Michail Kalman (@michail1946) March 11, 2019

He said:

“In these cases, we suggest undergoing DNA tests that would strengthen their claims. It’s never forced upon anyone and only used to assist applicants in the research process.”

(MEMO, PC, Social Media)