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.

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