after 6 years of foreign worker visa, temp.freedom ot work anywhere visa, temp. marriage yearly visa, 14 visits to the ministry of interior immigration and family reunion branch, 60 photos of us as a couple, 18 letters from friends claiming we are a couple, 36 salary slips,doszens of additional documentation and 3000 shekels later, we finally got the call yesterday that tomorrow in the early morning we have to go to the swearing in ceremony for citizenship. (after paying 600 shekels for the citizenship application, 175 shekels for the visa until the citizenship comes thru, and another 280 shekels for a one year passport)

its actually been 6.5 years since they didnt bother to tell us that we could apply half a year earlier in the summer so we missed a cut off date...

but finally, three wars, one driving liscense revoked for drunk driving, 10 job changes, one attack by drunk israeli teenagers, one new galaxy cell phone pickpocketed, 4 days of being snowbound and unprepared, 50 thai chickens raised in my house, two boxers, one fox terrier, two lhasa apsos, one lhasapoo, 6 puppies, and three kids gone thru army service later....

he finally gets a blue id card (as opposed to orange, which, in israel, holds stigma of being from palestine or somehow 'not holding all citizen's rights' for employment, benefits etc.)/

and a one year passport (for an additonal fee of course). if he leaves israel for more then say, two months, they revoke the passport and can only get a set of travel papers until he can, again , prove that he is really living in israel.

so went out and got him two button up shirts for the occasion.

hopefully he will be able to stumble through the invocation that they have to say, although most likely he suddenly wont understand a word of hebrew....

Congrats bina!

Wonderful news for you and anon.

Mazel tov and chock dee kha

Mazel tov to u both!

How wonderful!! Pats is happy for you both!!!

Bina,    to Anon from Mr & Mrs GoingHomeSoon!  Brilliant news indeed, I know it's been a long haul for you both.  Sorry for not posting ealier but I know you'll understand - since baby arrived 6 months ago I have been wearing my Mummy-brain rather more than expected   

congrats congrats congrats, a long awaited baby.... so glad for you guys... a true miracle baby.... obviously things must be working out for you guys 'down under' as well; stop by the forum more often (or drop a personal message or email)... i miss you

Belated congratulations!