By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/sephardic-jews-get-dual-nationality-spain Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Sephardic Jews get dual nationality from Spain World Feb 7, 2014 3:50 PM EDT Descendants of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from Spain in 1492, will now be allowed to seek Spanish nationality without having to give up their current citizenship. The law, passed by the Spanish government Friday, will give the opportunity for 3.5 million people across several countries to apply for Spanish nationality if they can prove their Sephardi ancestry. Applicants, Reuters reports, do not have to be practicing Jews. An estimated 300,000 Sephardic Jews — Sephardic meaning “Spanish” in Hebrew — were driven from Spain in 1492 after Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand issued an Edict of Expulsion. The edict, also know as the Alhambra Decree, gave Jews three months to convert to Catholicism, leave the country, or face death without trial. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl
Descendants of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from Spain in 1492, will now be allowed to seek Spanish nationality without having to give up their current citizenship. The law, passed by the Spanish government Friday, will give the opportunity for 3.5 million people across several countries to apply for Spanish nationality if they can prove their Sephardi ancestry. Applicants, Reuters reports, do not have to be practicing Jews. An estimated 300,000 Sephardic Jews — Sephardic meaning “Spanish” in Hebrew — were driven from Spain in 1492 after Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand issued an Edict of Expulsion. The edict, also know as the Alhambra Decree, gave Jews three months to convert to Catholicism, leave the country, or face death without trial. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now