Israeli Nationality Law - Cancellation of Citizenships

Cancellation of Citizenships

There are cases in which the state can initiate a cancellation of a citizenship of an Israeli citizen. Article 11 of the Israeli nationality law establishes three circumstances for which a citizenship would be revoked by the state:

• If the person entered a state which is considered an enemy of Israel, or obtained citizenship of an enemy state.
• If the person committed an act which is considered a breach of loyalty to the country.
• If the person's citizenship was given to him/her on the basis of false information. In such a case, the revocation might apply even to the citizenship of the person's children.

Furthermore, an Israeli citizen who wants to renounce his/her citizenship can address the Israeli Interior Minister in writing and ask for it to be done. Nevertheless, the final decision would be up to the Interior minister to make, and he can also refuse the application, according to his own discretion. The policy of the Interior ministry has so far made it difficult for people to give up citizenship, requiring them, among other things, to prove that they have been living outside of the state of Israel for a long time.