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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPortugal to offer citizenship to descendants of expelled Jews
Portugal's Cabinet approved a law Thursday that would offer citizenship to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled, burned at the stake or forcibly converted to Christianity 500 years ago.
"I do not want to say this is an historic amendment because I believe that for this matter, there is no possibility to amend what was done," Portuguese Justice Minister Paula Teixeira da Cruz said, according to The Associated Press. "I would say it is the attribution of a right."
The AP adds: "Applicants will be vetted by Portuguese Jewish community institutions, as well as by government agencies. They will have to say whether they have a criminal record."
The law, which grants Portuguese citizenship in addition to the applicant's current nationality, is expected to go into effect by mid-February or early March, Oulman Carp, president of Lisbon's Jewish community, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The legislation, which was approved by Parliament in 2013, will also apply to non-Jewish descendants of the Sephardim who once lived in the Iberian Peninsula, Carp said.
more: http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/29/npr-portugal-citizenship
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)than not at all.
Cha
(297,192 posts)there's something I don't know.
Thanks BtA
Go Vols
(5,902 posts)they seem to tolerate anything that doesn't harm others.
Cha
(297,192 posts)and 1/2 Hawaiian
GreatGazoo
(3,937 posts)longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires
sixth most spoken first language worldwide with 250 mil speakers
first country in the world to fully decriminalize the usage of all drugs in 2001
heavily indebted, and received a 78 billion euro bailout from the European Union and IMF
population 10,562,178
Total fertility rate (TFR) as of 2013 was estimated at 1.51 children born/woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Portugal, long a country of emigration (the vast majority of Brazilians have some Portuguese ancestry), has now become a country of net immigration.
11th in best public health system in world report
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal
Cha
(297,192 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)Better something than nothing; better late than never.
tblue
(16,350 posts)My hubby's Jewish but won't benefit from this either, more's the pity. I honestly have looked into retiring in Portugal.
No snark needed. I applaud anybody doing the right thing, especially these days when progress is impeded way too frequently.
LuvNewcastle
(16,844 posts)to retire to. You'd be in Europe, but Portugal is a bit out of the way. People forget about it. They probably don't have to deal with as many tourists, at least nothing like France or Italy. I want to take that European tour that I never took. I'm thinking that Lisbon might be a good base.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)The family name on that side is "Abeles" which I am certain is Sephardic from Spain/Portugal at one point. I wonder how one proves that.
Padiddle
(58 posts)How do you "prove" that you are a descendant of the Portuguese Jews? I pretty much know I'm descended from the "conversos" -- Jews forced to convert by the monarchy (not wanting to reveal any surnames publicly here, though). Is this only for those who were exiled or are the ones who were able to stay by being forced into Catholicism also included?
I'd jump at an opportunity like this to move to a progressive and civilized EU country and bail on the U.S.A. Titanic. But I'm unsure as to how exactly one gets "vetted" some 500-600 years later.
appalachiablue
(41,131 posts)this on PBS' wonderful program, 'Finding Your Roots' hosted by Prof. Henry Gates. He's had on well known folks of all backgrounds & races, Gov. Deval Patrick, Ben Affleck, Valerie Jarrett, Ken Burns. The season is finished but may repeat or be online. *You can call Ancestry.com toll free 800 no. I just received & need to complete the kit to send in for results.
My family might have some Portuguese, Dad mentioned it. That would be cool.
In Brazil, Rio de Janiero I first heard the distinctive Portuguese language. When there we were young & knew some French, brother knew Spanish, couldn't figure it out the until someone mentioned.