Israel Population Authority Revokes Aliyah for Pro-Palestinian Activists Without Criminal Records
Israel revoked aliyah approval for two Jewish activists in their 20s over West Bank advocacy, marking first Law of Return denials without criminal records.
Israel's Population and Immigration Authority has revoked the aliyah approval of two Jewish activists in their 20s—a British citizen and an American woman—both active in pro-Palestinian advocacy in the West Bank, marking the first known cases where halakhic Jews without criminal records have been denied the right to immigrate to Israel. Both activists, who do not know each other, had been active in recent years in protective presence in the West Bank, which involves staying in Palestinian communities to deter settler and military violence and document attacks. The Jerusalem Post confirmed the details with British national Lawrence Shenkin, age 23, who grew up in a Modern Orthodox family in London's Golders Green.
What Happened to the Two Activists
Shenkin grew up in a Modern Orthodox family in Golders Green, was raised Zionist, and had already lived in Israel for five years after moving there at 18 to attend yeshiva, intending to stay and live in the country permanently. During this time, Shenkin joined the left-wing religious organization Bnei Avraham in 2023, becoming involved in protecting Palestinian communities in the West Bank from alleged Israeli settler harassment.
In November 2025, on the cusp of finishing his university studies, he started the process of aliyah, submitting all his files to the Population and Immigration Authority, and in January received an email saying "Due to a change in the circumstances of your case, your ETA has been revoked." Shenkin began his aliyah application in late 2025 and received confirmation from the Jewish Agency in July that he was eligible to immigrate, but less than a month later, he was told that the Population and Immigration Authority had temporarily revoked the approval while it reviewed his eligibility.
The American activist, who has not been named, was similarly approved by the Jewish Agency before being informed that her application had been frozen and was under review by the Population and Immigration Authority. She was detained by IDF soldiers in June 2025 while participating in protective presence activities near the settlement of Neve Daniel. In both cases, the activists had their passports photographed by a soldier or a settler while in the West Bank.
How the Law of Return Typically works
Israel's Law of Return, passed unanimously by the Knesset on July 5, 1950, grants every Jew the right to immigrate to Israel and obtain citizenship. Eligibility for aliyah is determined by the Israeli Law of Return, a civil law which sets the criteria allowing Jews and their families to immigrate to Israel, declaring that every Jew has the right to immigrate to Israel, except if the Minister of the Interior is present that the applicant acts against the Jewish people, may endanger public health or state security, or has a criminal record that may endanger public peace.
The right to an oleh certificate may also be denied if the person has engaged in anti-Jewish activity, poses a threat to public health or security, or has a criminal record and is likely to endanger public welfare in Israel. The process usually takes between 3 to 6 months, depending largely on your ability to supply all the requested documents and on the necessity to supply additional documents or information.
Why These Revocations Are Unprecedented
Many readers ask whether the Law of Return has ever been used to deny aliyah to Jews without criminal records. Until now, the answer has been no—these September 2026 cases represent a dramatic departure from seven decades of practice. These are believed to be the first known cases where halakhic Jews without criminal records have been denied the right to immigrate to Israel.
Although the agency, a department of the Interior Ministry, did not give a specific reason for revoking their aliyah approval, it appears that the revocation was due to their activism in "protective presence" activities in which civil rights groups provide assistance to Palestinian communities threatened by settler violence. According to messages obtained by Haaretz, a senior authority official told the American activist's partner that Israel did not allow activists who "act against Israel" into the country.
The Legal Basis Cited by Authorities
Shenkin received an email from the Jewish Agency saying, "Based on information received from the Population and Immigration Authority, and in accordance with Section 40 of the Entry into Israel Law, the approval of your eligibility for aliyah is currently under review by the Authority and is temporarily revoked," though his lawyer said there is no Section 40 of the Entry into Israel Law, only an amendment 40 which denies entry to people who denied October 7th or who call for the prosecution of Israeli soldiers, which Shenkin has not done.
Shenkin's attorney has challenged the decision, arguing that his client's immigration application falls under the Law of Return rather than legislation governing the entry of foreign visitors. This distinction is crucial: the Law of Return is designed to guarantee Jewish immigration as an inherent right, not a discretionary privilege that can be revoked based on political views.
How Police Are Tracking West Bank Activists
In August, a dedicated police unit established in the Judea and Samaria District had secured the deportation of 47 foreign activists and prevented another 130 from entering Israel since the beginning of 2026, with the unit gathering intelligence on foreign activists suspected of obstructing security forces or engaging in activities against Jewish communities and forwarding relevant information to the Interior Ministry and Population Authority.
During protection work in 2025, Shenkin said a settler activist named Gabriel Kalish took a picture of Shenkin's passport and threatened to detain him, and six months later, he received an email notifying him that his electronic travel authorization (ETA) to enter Israel had been canceled. This suggests that passport information collected in the field is being fed into a database used to screen aliyah applicants.
What Advocacy Groups Are Saying
Bnei Avraham calls the suspension of Shenkin's aliyah approval "a dangerous precedent," adding, "The right of return cannot be made dependent on the political position of a Jew, or on the question of whose side he is on." The organization works alongside Palestinian activists with the goal of enabling Palestinian communities to remain on their land.
The Population and Immigration Authority said in response to the report that the applications are still under review and that the applicants will be informed when a decision is made. The Jewish Agency told media it cannot discuss particular cases due to privacy concerns. Neither activist has been publicly accused by Israeli authorities of involvement in violent incidents.
Comparison Table: Law of Return Grounds for Denial
| Ground for Denial | Legal Basis | Historical Precedent | September 2026 Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal record endangering public welfare | Law of Return Section 2(b)(3) | Used in past (e.g., Meyer Lansky) | Not applicable—no criminal records |
| Threat to state security | Law of Return Section 2(b)(2) | Rarely invoked | Implied but not formally stated |
| Acting against the Jewish people | Law of Return Section 2(b)(1) | Traditionally for anti-Jewish activity | Authorities citing pro-Palestinian activism |
| Public health risk | Law of Return Section 2(b)(2) | Used for infectious disease cases | Not applicable |
| Conversion to another religion | Interpretation of Law of Return | Established precedent | Not applicable—both are halakhic Jews |
What This Means for Future Aliyah Applicants
If you are considering aliyah and have been involved in advocacy work related to Palestinian rights, these cases suggest that Israeli authorities may now scrutinize your political activities during the application process. While the two September 2026 cases remain under official review, the pattern is clear: passport information collected in the West Bank can be used to flag aliyah applications months later.
For applicants who have participated in protective presence or similar activities, it is advisable to consult with an Israeli immigration attorney before submitting your application. Document your activities carefully and be prepared to explain how your work aligns with Jewish values and does not constitute a security threat. The legal argument that the Law of Return applies rather than general entry restrictions may be crucial to your case.
As we covered in our analysis of common Nefesh B'Nefesh application mistakes, thorough documentation and legal clarity are essential to avoiding delays. The Population Authority has not issued formal guidelines on how political activism affects eligibility, leaving applicants in uncertain territory.
Official Resources and Next Steps
If you believe your aliyah application has been affected by your advocacy activities, you have the right to appeal the decision through the Israeli courts. The Jewish Agency processes initial aliyah eligibility, but final decisions rest with the Population and Immigration Authority, which operates under the Interior Ministry.
The Law of Return remains the foundational legal framework for Jewish immigration to Israel. While these September 2026 cases represent a departure from historical practice, the law itself has not changed. Section 2(b) exceptions have always existed, but their application to political activism rather than criminal conduct or anti-Jewish activity is unprecedented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Israel legally deny aliyah to Jews without criminal records?
Yes, under Section 2(b) of the Law of Return. The law allows denial if the applicant acts against the Jewish people, poses a threat to public health or state security, or has a criminal past likely to endanger public welfare. These September 2026 cases are the first known instances where authorities invoked the "acting against the Jewish people" or "security threat" provisions for political activism rather than traditional grounds like treason or anti-Semitism.
What is protective presence activism in the West Bank?
Protective presence involves international or Israeli activists staying in Palestinian communities to deter settler and military violence and document attacks. Organizations like Bnei Avraham work alongside Palestinian activists with the goal of enabling Palestinian communities to remain on their land. Critics view it as obstructing security forces, while supporters see it as defending human rights.
How long does the aliyah application process normally take?
The Jewish Agency states the process usually takes between 3 to 6 months, depending largely on your ability to supply all the requested documents and the necessity to supply additional documents or information. Both activists in the September 2026 cases received initial Jewish Agency approval but were subsequently flagged by the Population Authority for review, adding months of uncertainty to their cases.
Can aliyah applicants appeal if their application is denied?
Yes. If your aliyah application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision through the Israeli courts. Common reasons for denial include issues with documentation, disputes over Jewish lineage, or security concerns. The September 2026 cases are currently under review, and both applicants have engaged legal counsel to challenge the Population Authority's decision on the grounds that the Law of Return should apply rather than general entry restrictions.
Further reading: Short-Term Rental Israel Regulations 2026: Step-by-Step Setup Guide — Jewish Property Report.
Further reading: Israel Water Technology 2026: Before and After the Global Desalination Shift — Jewish News Now.
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