Following the recent clash of pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv that occurred in Amsterdam, the Dutch cabinet is considering introducing tighter rules for dual citizens who commit anti-semitism.
The cabinet will have to investigate if it is legitimate to revoke Dutch citizenship for dual citizenship holders that have displayed anti-semitic behaviour, Schengen.News reports.
The PVV and VVD parties came forward with the citizenship revocation, but Prime Minister Schoof stated that he wanted to investigate this proposal further, although someone’s Dutch passport can be taken away as of 2017 if that means protecting national security.
Last week’s football riots shook Amsterdam after 60 people were arrested and five hospitalised. Above all, as the Amsterdam mayor said, “It showcased a burst of antisemitism that she had hoped would never see again.” Mayor Halsema condemned the violence in a series of comments made during a press conference.
Authorities Fear Adopting Such Law Could Target People With Immigration Background
In 2017, before the amendment that allowed the revocation of Dutch citizenship for national security interests, the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights warned that this law could separate Dutch people with and without dual nationality. The dilemma remains to this day.
According to the Council of State, someone who turns against the national security interest of the Netherlands can lose their citizenship. However, it is against Dutch law to strip people who only hold Dutch passports of citizenship as this would leave them stateless. However, this matter could be assessed in individual cases.
Between 2017 and 2024, a total of 59 cases of citizenship revocation were recorded – 25 of those being final, while the rest were reversed or remain in process.
Here Are All the EU Countries That Have Tightened Rules for Anti-Semitism Offenders
In addition to the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark also have plans to introduce tighter rules for those who commit anti-Semitic offenses.
Six German states, Bavaria, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse, and Rhineland, are calling for tighter restrictions for anti-semitism offenders. According to reports, the six federal states want to revoke German passports for dual citizenship holders with such criminal records.
The Liberal Alliance, Denmark’s political party, wants to make it difficult for those who do not “share the right values” with Danish citizens to obtain citizenship.
The LA’s political leader, Alex Vanoplasgh, previously pointed out that those who believe that “Jews must be exterminated” or who are against homosexuals – in other words, people who have controversial beliefs should not be allowed to acquire Danish citizenship.
Source: https://schengen.news/cabinet-wants-to-revoke-dutch-passports-of-anti-semitism-offenders-with-dual-citizenship/
