Dutch descendant of Righteous Among the Nations fights for Israeli residency

Ellen Monique Chits, a 56-year-old Dutch Christian whose grandfather and great-grandparents were honored as Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jews during the Nazi occupation, is seeking permanent residency in Israel. Her application has been rejected by the Interior Ministry, a decision her attorney contends contradicts a Population and Immigration Authority procedure and a January 2026 District Court ruling. The ruling, he argues, extends eligibility to grandchildren of Righteous Among the Nations regardless of age.

Chits has developed a profound connection with Israel over years of visits. Following the October 7 massacre, she extended her stays to support Israelis affected by the war. She is currently in Haifa, studying Hebrew at the University of Haifa. Her family, the Kerkhofs, risked their lives to hide two Jewish brothers from the Nazis before helping them find other safe havens.

Her bond with Israel, which she describes as a "love story," deepened after she began visiting in 2018. Learning about her family's heroic actions at Yad Vashem, where their names are engraved, ignited a strong sense of pride in their legacy of "selfless love" for the Jewish people. This discovery fueled a "magnetic force" drawing her back to Israel repeatedly.

During the October 7 attacks, Chits was visiting Jerusalem. Instead of fleeing, she felt compelled to stay and help. Although her employer in the Netherlands required her return, she continued to seek ways to support Israel, highlighting her commitment to "doing the right thing."

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Sometimes you just have to do the right thing, and you get the opportunity to do the right thing.