Converted Man Denied Status in Israel Despite Rabbinical Marriage

A South African national, who converted to Judaism and married an Israeli citizen in Israel, is being denied official status by the Population and Immigration Authority. Dennis Okpala-gajoo, who now goes by Uziel, married Israeli citizen Reut Shanir four years ago and received a marriage certificate from the Rabbinate. However, the Authority rejected his request for status based on his conversion, citing that the conversion process occurred while he was in Israel on a temporary visa.

The couple argues that the state cannot recognize their marriage through the Rabbinate while simultaneously ignoring it for the purpose of granting Uziel status. Uziel, who arrived in Israel about ten years ago, initially sought asylum and received a temporary residency permit. After his asylum request was denied, he was ordered to leave the country but remained and underwent conversion.

Uziel's conversion was recognized by the Rabbinate, but the Population and Immigration Authority maintains that since the conversion took place during his temporary stay, it does not qualify him for status under the Law of Return. The couple, who reside in Harish and wish to start a family, have been married for four years and Uziel currently has no legal rights, preventing him from working.

Their lawyers contend that the Authority is conflating two separate issues: the validity of the conversion for status purposes and the recognition of their marriage. They assert that the Authority cannot simultaneously sanction their marriage through the Rabbinate and then deny its implications for Uziel's status. The couple is awaiting a court decision on their request to prevent enforcement and deportation proceedings against Uziel until their appeal is resolved. The Population and Immigration Authority stated that due to ongoing legal proceedings, all arguments will be presented in court and not through the media.