Black family that converted to Judaism not allowed to move to Israel

A black Jewish family from South London who have been trying to make aliyah for more than two years have had their application rejected by Israel’s Interior Ministry. Carl and Maleka Levy, who converted from Rastafarianism through the Reform movement, had planned to go out to Israel with their five daughters in August 2007. But despite testimonials from British rabbis and intervention by Israeli lawyers on their behalf, they were notified that they would not be allowed to emigrate under the Law of Return. Mrs Levy said the family were too heartbroken to speak now. No one from the Interior Ministry was available to comment. However, it is understood that the Israeli authorities had been concerned over the family’s contact with the Black Hebrews in Israel, an American-founded sect which is not recognised as Jewish.