A march in support of Israel in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (French)
A report by The Times of Israel newspaper said that the German citizenship test will include questions about the Jewish religion and Israel in the coming period, in a move aimed at combating anti-Semitism among applicants.
Interior Minister Nancy Wieser told the weekly newspaper Der Spiegel - in its Thursday issue - that "anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of contempt for humanity will prevent naturalization."
"Anyone who does not share our values cannot obtain a German passport," she added.
In the new citizenship test, which applicants must pass to obtain German citizenship, candidates may be asked about the name of a Jewish place of worship, the year of Israel's founding or Germany's historical commitment to it.
According to the magazine, “Sanctions for Holocaust denial and requirements for membership in Jewish sports clubs will be among the possible questions.”
In addition to adherence to the constitution, applicants will now also be required to commit to protecting Jewish life in Germany.
Protection of the Jews
The center-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly pledged to protect Germany's Jewish community from rising anti-Semitism.
Germany recently agreed to relax its strict citizenship laws, reducing the time needed to be able to apply for a passport and making dual citizenship more available.
Under normal circumstances, candidates will be able to apply for citizenship after 5 years in Germany, compared to 8 years previously, while those who have very good German language skills will be able to obtain citizenship after only 3 years.
Reforming Germany's citizenship law was a major pledge made by the government when it came to power at the end of 2021.
Source: The Times of Israel