Israeli officials divided on immigrants

JERUSALEM, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Two high-ranking Israeli ministers are divided over a proposal that would not allow Jewish immigrants to receive automatic citizenship after entering Israel.

While Israeli Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit previously said that Immigrant Absorption Minister Ya'acov Edri supported his new immigration proposal, a representative for Edri said the minister had not voiced support for the plan, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.

"The minister is absolutely opposed to the suggestion," the representative told the newspaper, "and the interior minister spoke of his own volition only."

Sheetrit has said he supports allowing Jewish immigrants to receive automatic entry and residence in Israel, but his proposal calls for more stringent immigration regulations.

Appearing at the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, Sheetrit said Israel should be more restrictive to those offered entry and citizenship.

"Don't go finding me any lost tribes, because I won't let them in anymore," he said at the gathering in Jerusalem. "We have enough problems in Israel. Let them go to America."