Yashar to safeguard Law of Return, cut bureaucracy, address needs of olim in next gov't - exclusive

Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot would preserve Israel's Law of Return and its Grandchild Clause if elected prime minister, according to Alex Rif, head of the party's olim integration initiative, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. The party plans to cut bureaucracy, improve services for elderly olim, translate Hebrew websites, address burial rights for non-halakhic Jews, allow civil marriage, and integrate educated olim into the workforce. Yashar has become the largest opposition party in recent polls ahead of elections due by October 27.

Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot would preserve Israel's Law of Return and its Grandchild Clause if elected prime minister, according to Alex Rif, head of the party's olim integration initiative, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. The party, which has become the largest in the opposition bloc in recent polls ahead of elections due by October 27, plans to cut bureaucracy and address the needs of new immigrants. Rif said the party would ensure olim not Jewish by halakha could be buried in Jewish cemeteries, push for civil marriage, and create a center abroad to help olim before arrival. The plan also includes better integration of educated olim, improved education programs for children, and addressing racism and violence against olim. Yashar would also improve translation of Hebrew websites and address the rising number of olim leaving Israel.