B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International has carefully followed the debate over recent proposals to amend the existing Israeli laws pertaining to conversion and citizenship.

Although B’nai B’rith completely supports Israel’s sovereign right and responsibility to determine its future on these critical issues, Israel’s leadership must recognize that these issues also directly impact Diaspora Jewry.

The Knesset adjourned for summer recess and will revisit the issue when it reconvenes on October 11.

We are hopeful that upon reconvening to debate the issues, the Knesset will be presented with a compromise proposal that will help preserve the Jewish character of the State of Israel while not alienating any religious community in Israel or in the Diaspora. While controversial, these decisions should be aimed at promoting the unity of the Jewish people and not divisiveness.