In a recent debate in the Danish Parliament, the proposal by the Danish Democrats to require recognition of Israel from applicants for Danish citizenship has faced opposition from the government. Minister of Immigration and Integration Kaare Dybvad Bek (Social Democrats) argues against the effectiveness and legal soundness of the proposal. The proposal, put forth by the Danish Democrats, aims to ensure that new citizens recognize Israel as a state. This has been suggested as a method to filter applicants with extreme views, according to party leader Inger Støjberg. She has previously pointed out that individuals who participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations often do not recognize Israel’s right to exist, which has raised concerns.
However, Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek highlights that the proposal will not be able to include stateless Palestinians, who are protected under international conventions that Denmark is obliged to follow. “Stateless individuals primarily from Palestinian areas will have the right to citizenship regardless of this declaration. That is the legal reality,” he explains. Additionally, the minister believes that the proposal does not address the fundamental challenges of integration and acceptance of Danish values. “When it comes to citizenship, I do not believe we solve this challenge by signing a requirement to recognize Israel in order to obtain Danish citizenship,” says Kaare Dybvad Bek.
The debate on the proposal continues in the Danish Parliament, where it will undergo further discussions before potentially being adopted. The opposition and the government stand sharply opposed on this issue, which touches on sensitive topics such as international politics and national identity.