Israel: Choice Between Two Countries

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As Rabbi Meir Kahane, 53, explained it, he simply lacks the time to continue serving as head of the Jewish Defense League, a militant organization based in the U.S. that claims about 15,000 members. The Brooklyn-born Kahane currently spends most of his time in Israel, where he is an elected member of the Knesset and head of the ultra-right Kach Party. Last week Kahane announced that he was resigning from the league, which he founded in 1968. As his successor he named Irv Rubin, 40, the J.D.L.'s West Coast coordinator.

Kahane acknowledged that his decision was also influenced by the fact that he may be about to lose his U.S. citizenship. A new Israeli law bars Knesset membership to anyone holding dual citizenship. Kahane claims the statute was passed in response to his election. In addition, the U.S. is considering withdrawal of his citizenship because he holds office in a foreign government. Should this happen, Kahane believes that his chances of getting a visa to visit the U.S. would be improved if he drops his link with the J.D.L., which has in the past run afoul of American law enforcement officials.