As a delegation of top American Jewish leaders are visiting Spain, Spanish Justice Minister announced that the country will pass a law that will make it easier for the descendants of Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 to obtain Spanish citizenship.
"We had to tell ourselves and the world that what happened was not only a mistake, but also that historical mistakes can be repaired," the Minister, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, said.
Spain already grants citizenship to proven Sephardic Jews, the descendants of the Jewish people who were expelled in 1492 under the reign of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. The Roman Catholic monarchs then gave the country's Jews and Muslims three choices: convert to Roman Catholicism, leave the country, or face execution without trial.
Under the legislation to be introduced by the centre-right government, successful applicants could also keep their original citizenship.
Current legislation stipulates that Sephardic Jews granted Spanish nationality have to give up their existing citizenship, which was a problem for some of them.
"I can assure you that the vast majority of Spaniards, no matter what their political stripes, whether they are in the government or in the opposition, agree with this assertion that we made a historic mistake five centuries ago and now we have the opportunity to repair it," Gallardon said.
"So for this reason I am convinced that the draft law will receive the backing of the vast majority of parliament," he added.
- Three million Jews could qualify -
Jews made rich contributions to science, music and literature before they were driven out of the country and the old Jewish quarters in medieval Spanish cities like Toledo and Seville where they lived among Christians and Muslims have become popular tourist draws.
In a meeting with leaders of the main Jewish American organizations on Thursday, King Juan Carlos said Spain was "making major efforts" to strengthen its ties with Sephardic communities around the world and stressed that his country’s history ‘’has been profoundly enriched with Spanish Jews contributions to the arts and sciences, to commerce and philosophy.’’
‘’We are extremely proud of this legacy," he added during a reception for the visiting delegation at his Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
‘’Spain’s doors are open to you now and always,” the King said.
The Jewish delegation was headed by Robert Sugerman and Malcolm Hoenlein, respectively Chairman and Executive Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
The meeting aims to “break down barriers of the past and build bridges for the future,” Hoenlein said.
After Spain, the delegation will travel to Israel for its annual Leadership Mission.