E/CN.4/1992/52
page 95
7.
The State of Israel is now in the process of formally ratifying the
Convention on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 and the Convention on Social
and Economic Sights, 1966. Article 18 of the Convention on Civil and
Political Rights states that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a
fundamental human right.
8.
The Government of Israel recognizes and supports the dynamic
pluralism which results from the mix of religions in the State. The goal,
therefore, is not to achieve homogeneity, but rather to provide by law the
possibility for each person to exercise and enjoy the freedom to observe his
own religion.
(published in the 1989 Statistical Abstract)
1985
1988
% of total
in 1988
Total
5 015 200
5 294 500
100.00
Jews
Muslims
Christians
Druze and others
4 266
577
99
72
4 476
634
105
78
200
600
400
000
800
600
000
000
% increase
1985-1988
84.56
11.99
1.98
1.47
4.94
9.87
5.63
8.33
9.
In order to ensure the rights of freedom of religion of such a
diverse population Israel has preserved the system of religious communities
or Millets of the Turkish and British Administrations. (The Turkish
Administration recognized non-Muslim communities which were organized into
Millets under the leadership of religious dignitaries who were responsible for
their communities). Therefore, the religious laws of members of a recognized
community govern them in matters of Personal Status, which are defined in
Article 51 of the Palestine Order in Council 1922 as amended (L.S.I, vol. 11,
p. 9) amended as 'such regarding marriage or divorce, alimony, maintenance,
guardianship, legitimation of minors, inhibition from dealing with property of
persons who are legally incompetent, successions, etc, and legacies and the
administration of the property of absent persons.!
10. In addition to the Muslim community the following religious
communities have been recognized by the State of Israel:
(a) The Eastern (Orthodox) Church;
(b) The Latin (Catholic) Church;
(c) The Gregorian (Armenian) Church;
(d) The American (Catholic) Church;
(e) The Chaldean (Uniate) Church;
(f) The Chaldean (Uniate) Church;
(g) The Jews;
(h) The Greek (Catholic) Melbite Church;