The Spanish government has been flooded with thousands of inquiries about legislation it approved last month that will grant dual citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492, the country’s justice minister said on April 30.
The minister, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, who considers the legislation his most important achievement, said in an interview at The New York Times that he anticipated that more than 150,000 people, scattered in the Sephardic Jewish diaspora, would seek Spanish citizenship under the measure, aimed at righting what the government has called a grievous error. The bill is expected to receive unanimous parliamentary approval.
Holy Toledo! Expect tens of thousands to apply from Israel, and more modest numbers from France, Scandinavia, U.K., Italy, and South America. At first blush, 150,000 seems a high estimate, but perhaps not. The policy makers know they will attract capital as well as talent, filling up many of their still vacant vacation rentals build last decade. They are needed as instructors for the conversion classes Spaniards are flocking too, rediscovering their long buried Jewish roots. Good for Spain.
Let’s see, other displaced folks may wish to take up the cause: Scottish highland clearances, Acadians, any exported or imported slave…. the mind boggles. A noble idea that will fall short in the execution.
Pardon me for being glib, but neither Scotland nor Nova Scotia have the GDP, weather, cuisine, or surplus housing stock.
Henry! Clearly you have not enjoyed breaded and deep fried blood pudding or haggis. Favourites in both Scotland and New Scotland.