The Knesset’s basic law requires an Israeli Member of Knesset to renounce foreign (dual) citizenship before being able to enjoy the rights as a member of Knesset:
If a Knesset member holds an additional, non-Israeli citizenship, and the laws of the country whose citizenship he holds permit him to be released from such citizenship, he shall not declare allegiance until after he has done everything required on his part to be released from such citizenship, and he shall not enjoy the rights of a Knesset member until he makes his declaration.
MK-elect Dov Lipman said to Makor Rishon that he “spoke to his lawyers” about this issue, and Haaretz reported wasn’t very happy about having to relinquish his U.S. citizenship:
I am going to be relinquishing my U.S. citizenship with a very heavy heart,” he said. “One side of my family came to America to escape pogroms in Russia, and the other survived the Holocaust. America provided us with a safe haven in which to rebuild our family. My father was someone who was able to become a federal judge while being a religious Jew. It’s painful, but I’ve been told it’s the law. I do so with a heavy heart and of course, there is also the flip side – knowing I’ll be pure Israeli. We decided to figure out if there are any other reasons that MK-elect Dov Lipman doesn’t want to give up his U.S. citizenship. In our on-line poll – which do you think is correct?
9. Is afraid he’ll be out of a job a in a year and won’t be able to get a green card to work in the U.S.
8. Doesn’t want to lose out on U.S. social security retirement benefits
7. Not willing the pay this small price for peace with the Palestinians
6. Needs a U.S. passport for refuge when his party’s peace plan explodes
5. Doesn’t want to stand on a separate line for passport control than his family when visiting the U.S.
4. Thinks the law should only be intended for Meir Kahana and not for progressive rabbis.
3. Won’t be able to be considered an “Anglo” representative anymore.
2. What will the “non-Jews” say?
1. Doesn’t want to lose out on the $1000 per child IRS tax rebate.
MK Lipman – Welcome to the big leagues — Political satire is the highest form of flattery!
PS: If you had any doubts about Yesh Atid’s founder, here’s a great video extolling Lapid’s intelligence on a wide range of subjects.
Visit The Muqata.