Portuguese paper accuses Jews of abusing citizenship law, extortion

By World Israel News Staff

A Portuguese newspaper claims that the Jewish community in Porto is abusing legislation for financial gain through extortion and other methods.

In 2015, the Portuguese government enacted a “law of return,” allowing the descendants of Jews deported from Spain and Portugal in 1492 and 1496 to gain citizenship, explains the Israeli law office of Cohen, Decker, Pex, Brosh.

Seven years later, authorities have estimated that some 56,600 people have obtained citizenship, and another 80,000 applicants are being processed.

“What began as a gesture of goodwill and correction of a historical wrong eventually became a business with huge profits for the Jewish community of Porto,” Publico charged in a lengthy report.

According to Publico, the local Jewish community makes 250 euros for each citizenship examined.

Moreover, according to Ynet, most community members own satellite businesses that take advantage of the massive immigration boom for financial gain, such as through real estate investments.

Ynet reports that before the law was passed, the Porto Jewish community’s assets were so inadequate that they couldn’t even hire a rabbi. Now, however, not only does the local synagogue have a cantor and security detail, but the community also operates a kosher hotel, a ritual bath and a new Holocaust museum, the report says.