[MakkabI]
April 1st, 2005, 03:19 AM
Perhaps the most unusual among the petitioners seeking to be recognized as Jews and Israeli citizens according to the Law of Return is Gaza-born Zakariya Abu Zayid.
Abu Zayid was born Muslim and ran away from Gaza when he was six years old. He was eventually adopted by a Jewish couple and grew up in Tel Aviv. He had no official status in Israel, but was given approved status by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and lived in Israel unhindered.
In the 1990s, Abu Zayid began to take an interest in Judaism and started attending services at Beit Daniel, the main Reform center in Tel Aviv. Two years later, after he had proven himself serious about his religious interest, he was accepted into the conversion program at Beit Daniel and converted in London in 1996.
Soon afterwards, Abu Zayid, who is now in his 40s, married an Israeli woman and had a son. He is currently separated and lives in Tel Aviv.
Abu Zayid was born Muslim and ran away from Gaza when he was six years old. He was eventually adopted by a Jewish couple and grew up in Tel Aviv. He had no official status in Israel, but was given approved status by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and lived in Israel unhindered.
In the 1990s, Abu Zayid began to take an interest in Judaism and started attending services at Beit Daniel, the main Reform center in Tel Aviv. Two years later, after he had proven himself serious about his religious interest, he was accepted into the conversion program at Beit Daniel and converted in London in 1996.
Soon afterwards, Abu Zayid, who is now in his 40s, married an Israeli woman and had a son. He is currently separated and lives in Tel Aviv.