New German Citizenship Rules Include Support for Jews and Israel

New immigrants to Germany seeking citizenship will now be required to affirm their acceptance of Israel’s right to exist and tolerate the presence of Jews in the country. This significant policy change was announced by the German Interior Ministry last week, reflecting Germany's proactive stance against rising antisemitism.

On Thursday, the Interior Ministry outlined modifications to the naturalization process aimed at reducing the time required to become a citizen while imposing stricter conditions. The changes come in response to increasing antisemitism in Germany, expanding the naturalization test to include questions on antisemitism, Israel’s right to exist, and Jewish life in Germany.

The revised immigration process also includes several streamlined procedures. New citizens are no longer required to surrender their previous citizenship, and the residency requirement for immigrants employed in Germany has been reduced from eight years to five.

Additionally, the loyalty declaration required for citizenship now emphasizes Germany’s special historical responsibility due to the National Socialist regime. Applicants must affirm their understanding and acceptance of this responsibility, particularly regarding the protection of Jewish life.

One of the new questions in the naturalization test asks: “Which action relating to the State of Israel is forbidden in Germany?” The correct answer is “publicly calling for the destruction of Israel.” If an applicant answers incorrectly, they will not be automatically rejected but will be further questioned to determine if their views stem from an antisemitic attitude. This nuanced approach aims to ensure that applicants genuinely reject antisemitism and support Israel’s right to exist.

In contrast, the German state of Saxony-Anhalt requires naturalization applicants to explicitly affirm their acceptance of Israel’s right to exist.

These changes signify Germany’s strong stance against antisemitism and its commitment to protecting Jewish life and supporting Israel. The new policy aims to ensure that new citizens share these values, reflecting Germany’s dedication to upholding its historical responsibility.

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