Today’s news / Inger Støjberg: Recognize Israel to Gain Danish Citizenship
If you want to be a Danish citizen, you must recognize Israel as a state, says Inger Støjberg. (Archive photo). Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

Inger Støjberg: Recognize Israel to Gain Danish Citizenship

Inger Støjberg, who is the leader of Denmark’s Danmarksdemokraterne party, proposes that recognizing Israel as a state should be a prerequisite for obtaining Danish citizenship. The measure is consistent with embracing Danish values, including democracy, says Støjberg. She suggests that those who chant ‘from the river to the sea’ in Danish cities may appear integrated but do not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Such recognition would align with existing citizenship requirements, such as language proficiency, self-sufficiency, abiding by the law, and upholding equality, evidenced by a mandatory handshake during citizenship ceremonies, says the politician. Støjberg references similar established policies in other regions, like the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The proposal was submitted to the Danish Parliament on Tuesday.