Ethnic boundary work - amending the grandchild clause of the Law of Return in Israel

In this article, I explore the construction and reconstruction of Jewish ethnicity through the lens of the Israeli case. The ascent of a right-wing government in Israel following the 2022 election has prompted efforts to reshape the country's legal framework in accordance with the coalition's ideological values. A prominent legislative proposal advanced by religious Knesset members sought to eliminate the grandchild clause from the Law of Return. An analysis of this proposal, alongside similar initiatives in the past, demonstrates that ethnicity is not a static concept but one that is continuously being shaped and reassessed. These discussions place the spotlight on the conflict over the balance between religious and national elements in Judaism as reflected in the state's laws, as well as on the differing interpretations of Judaism and Jewish identity in general. The efforts to amend or eliminate the grandchild clause symbolize attempts to redefine Israel's ethnic identity. While it is widely accepted that Israel is a Jewish state, the specific interpretation of this designation within legislative and institutional contexts remains a subject of ongoing contention.