Changes to Germany’s citizenship law took effect on Thursday, and the action was taken in response to growing antisemitism in the wake of Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
“You must pledge to uphold the principles of a free society in order to become a naturalized citizen of Germany. This involves, above all, the equality and dignity of every individual,” a statement from Germany’s Interior Ministry stated. “Anti-Semitic, racist or other inhumane actions are incompatible with the guarantee of human dignity of the Basic Law.”
Antisemitism-related questions have been added to Germany’s naturalization exam.
The interior ministry claimed, “The questionnaire of the naturalization test was also expanded in response to the increasing antisemitism in Germany, listing topics that included antisemitism, Right of existence of the State of Israel and Jewish life in Germany.”
There are 35 questions on subjects like German history and democracy. According to the Jerusalem Post, at least 17 questions must be answered properly in order to pass.
After more than 1,200 Israelis, including women, children, and the elderly, were killed in an attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, top German officials, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, vowed to support Israel without reservation, even though there has been a rise in German opposition to Jerusalem’s ongoing campaign.
