Citizenship Applicants in Germany Required to Recognise Existence of Israel
The Ministry of the Interior of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt will require written confirmation of support for the existence of the state of Israel from those applying for German citizenship, Deutsche Welle reports.
Saxony-Anhalt's Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang has issued an order requiring naturalisation applicants to declare their commitment to Israel's right to exist.
"Obtaining German citizenship requires an obligation to support Israel's right to exist," the decree, which was sent to local authorities in Saxony-Anhalt in late November, reads.
Therefore, immediately prior to naturalisation, applicants must confirm in writing "that they recognise Israel's right to exist and condemn any efforts against the existence of the state of Israel," the document adds.
The letter also calls for applicants for German citizenship to be screened for anti-Semitism and whether they are engaged in "activities against the free democratic order".
Germany has been actively supporting Israel since the attack by the Hamas terrorist movement on 7 October. Berlin emphasises that it has a historical responsibility to protect the Jewish population for committing the Holocaust during World War II.
The day before, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Israel's right to eliminate Hamas terrorists in Gaza against the backdrop of intensified and expanded hostilities in the Strip.
During his visit to Israel, the German president said that Hamas terrorists "must not be allowed to achieve their declared goal, namely the destruction of Israel".
"We stand in solidarity with Israel. Not only with Israel as a victim of terror. Our solidarity is also with Israel, which defends itself, which fights against the threat to its existence," he said.
The German President also noted that it is necessary to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip and ensure their basic life needs.
The Israeli army has effectively cornered the Hamas terrorists in two of their last strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip - the Shajaya area of Gaza City and the city of Jabalia, which is located directly to the north.
On Tuesday, the IDF moved closer to the town of Khan Younis, engaging in close combat with Hamas terrorists in what could be a decisive battle in the two-month war.
The Israeli army is seeking to complete its operations in and around Gaza City in the northern part of the Strip.
As The Gaze previously reported, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) resumed fighting against Hamas on the morning of 1 December, as the terrorist group broke a truce that lasted about a week to exchange hostages.