Egypt revokes citizenship from 3 Israelis, one Palestinian

 

 

 

CAIRO – 2 July 2022: The Egyptian government revoked the Egyptian citizenship of three Israelis as they bear the nationality of another foreign country without having prior permission from the authorities.

 

The government also revoked the citizenship of a Palestinian man because he had acquired the Egyptian nationality by fraud and based on false statements.

 

The decision was published on Saturday in the official gazette to come into force on the following day.

 

Reasons for withdrawal of Egyptian nationality

 

According to Law No. 26 of 1975, the basic reasons for the state to revoke nationality include:

 

1. If the citizen takes another nationality without permission from the Egyptian government.

 

2. If the Egyptian citizen enters the military service of a foreign country without being approved by the Ministry of Defense.

 

3. If a court ruling is issued against an individual who is involved in damaging public security.

 

4. If the Cabinet orders an individual, working outside of the country, to leave his job, the nationality shall be revoked after six months of his notification, if he fails to oblige.

 

5. If an individual joins a foreign body whose purpose is to destroy the social or economic system of the state.

 

6. If an individual works for a foreign state or government at war with Egypt.

 

7. If an individual works with countries that cut off diplomatic relations with Egypt.

 

8. If the government or non-governmental entity an individual works with abroad is characterized by Zionism.

 

9. If an individual takes Egyptian nationality by cheating and/or presenting false papers.

 

However, Ahmed Mahran, manager of the Cairo Center for Political and Legal Studies, said that withdrawing nationality comes by decision of the Cabinet and must be published in the state’s official Gazette within thirty days from the date of issue.

 

If the citizen wants to unilaterally revoke their nationality, one only needs to sign an application to be submitted to the Ministry of Interior, according to Esmat El-Merghani, President of the Afro-Asian Lawyers Federation.

 

Additional reporting by Walaa Ali