A law that was passed in Knesset a number of years ago intended to oust Rabbi Meir Kahane HY”D from Knesset now compels new MKs to forfeit their foreign citizenship. Aware of the fact the late Kach Party leader traveled to the United States to speak and raise funds, they hoped that by passing a law that would compel him to relinquish his American citizenship would force him to resign, which it did not. The late MK turned in his American passport and opted to remain in Knesset.

As a result of the law, MKs holding dual citizenship wishing to enter Knesset have since been compelled to give up their foreign passport. In the incoming 19th Knesset, this applies to a number of MKs including Naftali Bennett (Bayit HaYehudi/USA), Moshe Feiglin (Likud/Australia), Michal Biran (Labor/Lithuania), Karin Elhar (Yesh Atid/France), Rabbi Dov Lipmann (Yesh Atid/USA), Miki Rosenthal (Labor/).

As long as one can prove one has begun the process of forfeiting foreign citizenship, one may take the Knesset oath of office.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)