German States Consider Revoking Citizenship of Dual Nationals Committing Antisemitic Crimes

A growing number of German states are backing a proposal to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals convicted of antisemitic crimes. In a recent survey conducted by FOCUS, six of Germany's 16 federal states Bavaria, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate expressed support for amending the country's citizenship laws to address antisemitic offenses more forcefully.

The existing citizenship law, passed in June, already includes a provision acknowledging Germany’s “special historical responsibility for the National Socialist injustice and its consequences, especially for the protection of Jewish life.” Under clause 10.1.1.1.3.1, anyone found to be undermining this commitment may be ineligible for German citizenship.

Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann was particularly vocal in his support for the proposed changes. “From our point of view, Germans with dual nationality who have been convicted of a serious crime endangering the state must lose their German citizenship,” Herrmann told FOCUS. He added that this should apply to serious acts of violence motivated by antisemitism.

The idea has sparked debate among the remaining federal states. While Saxony-Anhalt, Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Berlin voiced concerns, with Lower Saxony’s Interior Ministry calling the measure “not the right instrument in the fight against antisemitism,” the other six states did not respond to the survey.

The discussion reflects a broader debate in Germany over how best to combat rising antisemitism, which has seen an uptick in recent years. Supporters of the proposal argue that harsher measures, including citizenship revocation, would send a strong message that Germany will not tolerate antisemitic behavior, particularly in light of its historical responsibility to protect Jewish life.

As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will gain enough momentum to be implemented nationwide. For now, the six states supporting the change are pushing for what they see as a necessary step in combating antisemitic violence and upholding Germany's commitment to Jewish communities.

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