JUSTICE MINISTER ON CITIZENSHIP LAW

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001986 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPAL IS GOI EXTERNAL ISRAELI SOCIETY SUBJECT: JUSTICE MINISTER ON CITIZENSHIP LAW ¶1. (SBU) Minister of Justice Haim Ramon told the Ambassador May 16 that the GOI will reform its Nationality and Entry in Israel Law of 2003 to ensure that it conforms with international standards. This temporary law currently prohibits many Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens from residing in Israel. (Note: The Knesset amended the law in 2005 to allow Palestinian men over 35 and women under 25 the right to apply for residency status. The law expires at the end of June and must be re-enacted. End note.) ¶2. (SBU) Claiming Israel has a sovereign right to determine who may become a citizen and who may enter the country, Ramon said that the the new law will ensure that Jewish applicants for citizenship receive "special treatment," and that all others receive "equal treatment." "We will not hide behind security requirements," Ramon explained, in providing to all non-Jews equal opportunities for Israeli citizenship without discrimination based on race, religion, or prior nationality. Ramon said, however, that the new law will limit the possibilities of citizenship or residency for applicants from enemy states (including, he specified, the Palestinian Authority),applicants without prospects for financial independence, and applicants who refuse to respect Israel's customs. "We will follow the model of Europe's most tolerant nations," Ramon claimed, referring specifically to a law in Denmark that he claims favors Nordic applicants for citizenship, and to a law in Holland that he claims requires applicants to respect Dutch customs. ¶3. (SBU) Other issues covered in the meeting - - including convergence, illegal outposts, trafficking in persons, Magen David Adom, and intellectual property rights - - are covered in septels. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES