Israel revokes aliyah approval for two Jewish activists — Jerusalem Post

In Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority revoked the preliminary approval for aliyah of two Jewish activists in their early 20s who took part in pro-Palestinian advocacy in the West Bank. According to The Jerusalem Post, one of them is British citizen Lawrence Shankin.

Revocation of approved applications

Haaretz first reported on the case. The Jerusalem Post noted that it confirmed the accuracy of the publication's details with Shankin. The other applicant is a US citizen whose name has not been disclosed.

According to Haaretz, the Jewish Agency initially approved the applications of both activists, but Israel's Population and Immigration Authority later revoked this decision. Haaretz believes these may be the first known cases in which authorities are allegedly violating the Law of Return, which grants Jews the right to immigrate to Israel.

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Lawrence Shankin's activities

Shankin grew up in a Modern Orthodox family in the Golders Green area of London, was raised with Zionist views, and has already lived in Israel for five years. According to Haaretz, he joined the left-wing religious organization Bnei Avraham in 2023.

As part of this organization, Shankin took part in defending Palestinian communities in the West Bank from alleged harassment by Israeli settlers, Haaretz reports. He told the outlet that living in Israel is a biblical commandment for him and called the revocation of the approval “anti-Zionist.” The Jerusalem Post requested comment from the Population and Immigration Authority and the Jewish Agency.