ROUND-UP
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
CERTAIN COUNTRIES FACE
GREATER TERROR THREATS
THOUSANDS OF
SEPHARDIM
EXPECTED TO
APPLY FOR
SPANISH
PASSPORTS
Thousands of Sephardim around the world are likely to seek Spanish
citizenship after the Madrid Parliament approved a new law allowing
descendants of Jews expelled from that country in 1492 to apply for a
Spanish passport.
The law, which was passed on 11 June, will not come into force until 1
October, but the Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities (FCJE) –
which is acting as the official intermediary with the Madrid government
– has already received over 6 000 applications since the Bill was passed.
A Spanish passport would give them freedom to work anywhere in the
European Union and to travel freely throughout most of the continent.
“This is a historic day, an important day, an emotional day,” said the
president of the FCJE, Isaac Querub, after the new law was approved.
Applicants do not have to be practising Jews but their Jewish heritage
must be vetted by the FCJE or by rabbis where they live. They will also
have to travel to Spain (at their own expense) to apply, as well as pass
tests on Spanish language and culture and prove they have a “special
connection” to Spain.
The law will expire after three years, although it could be extended by
another year if deemed necessary.
Under the previous 1924 law, the Spanish government had discretionary
powers to award Sephardim nationality, but candidates had to be residents of Spain and were obliged to give up their previous citizenship.
The new law will give Sephardi Jews the same dual citizenship privilege
that Spain currently grants only to people from its former colonies and
neighbouring Portugal and Andorra.
6 JEWISH LIFE
ISSUE 86
BRITISH MARMITE KOSHER AGAIN
Marmite is set to make a welcome return to pantries
in the UK community, as the spread is now certified
as kosher. Imports of kosher Marmite produced in
South Africa were halted by manufacturer Unilever in
2014; however, after protracted talks with the Kashrut
division of the London Beth Din (KLBD), Unilever has
agreed to produce a brand new 70g jar on a separate
production line. The existing Marmite products were
made on a production line that also carried non-kosher
products, so could not be given kosher certification.
Production on the new kosher version began mid-June
and the jars should be ready for sale in kosher shops by
the beginning of July. Director of KLBD Rabbi Jeremy
Conway said: “After long discussions with Unilever, we
are delighted to have finally secured kosher Marmite
for all those Marmite lovers out there.” Explaining the
reasons why Marmite products could not previously
be hechshered, Rabbi Conway said: “Bovril, which is
an animal extract product, is made on the same site so
there are some complicated halachic issues. A key point
is that the 70g jar is packed on an all-kosher line.”
He added: “Marmite is a completely unique product
and if you have been brought up on it, it is essential.
Personally, I do love it.”
PHOTOGRAPHS: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM
T EX T C OM P I L E D B Y L I Z S A M UE L S
Western economies including France and Germany are
facing greater terror threats because of ISIL and al-Qaeda and its supporters, according to global risk management company, Aon. Nine countries (including Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland and Norway) face
increased terrorism threats, mainly because of the growing influence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
as well as al-Qaeda affiliates and supporters. For Estonia,
the report said Russian aggression was the cause of its
higher risk rating. Baghdad is the world’s most dangerous city, according to a new index – but the risk of terrorist attack in European cities has risen sharply in the
aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks. Citi \