Spain’s proposed law on citizenship for the descendants of expelled Jews has now been approved and will come into effect in October.
The ruling conservative government had said it was an “historic mistake” to force its Jewish population into exile in 1492, making them convert to Catholicism or face torture and death by burning at the stake.
The law gives dual citizenship rights to Jews with Spanish ancestry. A previous law from 1924 gave the government discretionary power to grant citizenship to Sephardic (Hebrew for “Spanish”) Jews, but candidates had to renounce their previous citizenship and had to reside in Spain. These conditions no longer apply.
But the new law is to expire after three years although it could be extended by another year if deemed necessary.
The Spanish government believes that some 90,000 people will apply for citizenship, but they will all have to contend with Spanish bureaucracy.
Their Jewish heritage must be vetted by special committee or by rabbis where they live, although applicants need not be practicing Jews.
Applicants will have to pass tests on Spanish language and culture and must prove they have a “special connection” to Spain. They must also fund their own travel to the country.
At least 200,000 Jews were believed to be living in Spain when the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella began their infamous Inquisition. Many managed to flee, taking refuge in the Ottoman Empire which welcomed them, North Africa, the Balkans and Latin America.
Today up to 3.5 million people scattered throughout the world are believed to have Sephardic Jewish heritage.
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