Why is MK-Elect Dov Lipman Afraid of Losing His US Citizenship?
Latest update: January 29th, 2013
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Yesh Atid MK Rabbi Dov Lipman.
Photo Credit: Miriam Alster/FLASH90
The Knesset’s basic law requires an Israeli Member of Knesset to renounce foreign (dual) citizenship before being able to enjoy the rights as a member of Knesset:
If a Knesset member holds an additional, non-Israeli citizenship, and the laws of the country whose citizenship he holds permit him to be released from such citizenship, he shall not declare allegiance until after he has done everything required on his part to be released from such citizenship, and he shall not enjoy the rights of a Knesset member until he makes his declaration.
MK-elect Dov Lipman said to Makor Rishon that he “spoke to his lawyers” about this issue, and Haaretz reported wasn’t very happy about having to relinquish his U.S. citizenship:
I am going to be relinquishing my U.S. citizenship with a very heavy heart,” he said. “One side of my family came to America to escape pogroms in Russia, and the other survived the Holocaust. America provided us with a safe haven in which to rebuild our family. My father was someone who was able to become a federal judge while being a religious Jew. It’s painful, but I’ve been told it’s the law. I do so with a heavy heart and of course, there is also the flip side – knowing I’ll be pure Israeli. We decided to figure out if there are any other reasons that MK-elect Dov Lipman doesn’t want to give up his U.S. citizenship. In our on-line poll – which do you think is correct?
9. Is afraid he’ll be out of a job a in a year and won’t be able to get a green card to work in the U.S.
8. Doesn’t want to lose out on U.S. social security retirement benefits
7. Not willing the pay this small price for peace with the Palestinians
6. Needs a U.S. passport for refuge when his party’s peace plan explodes
5. Doesn’t want to stand on a separate line for passport control than his family when visiting the U.S.
4. Thinks the law should only be intended for Meir Kahana and not for progressive rabbis.
3. Won’t be able to be considered an “Anglo” representative anymore.
2. What will the “non-Jews” say?
1. Doesn’t want to lose out on the $1000 per child IRS tax rebate.
MK Lipman – Welcome to the big leagues — Political satire is the highest form of flattery!
PS: If you had any doubts about Yesh Atid’s founder, here’s a great video extolling Lapid’s intelligence on a wide range of subjects.
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tell a friendAbout the Author: Jameel blogs at the Muqata: http://www.muqata.com Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of The Jewish Press.
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No Responses to “Why is MK-Elect Dov Lipman Afraid of Losing His US Citizenship?”
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Or maybe he doesn't want to relinquish his citizenship for the reasons that he stated. Dumb article"
Don't you think he should have thought about that before he became an MK? Life is full of choices – he made his – now he is just trying to eat his cake and have it too. But then again, I wouldn't expect more from anyone joining Lapid's party.
afraid to lose US citizenship but not afraid to lose his passport to Gan Eden by joining up with a Rasha ben Rasha. Lapid has a yichus not only is he a rasha who is out to destroy Eretz Yisrael and Torah, but he follows in the footsteps of his father who was a most despicable man. They called him Tommy but do not say Tommy say Tamei.
Erev Rav, not Rav Lipman. Anyone who can join with that evil son of evil Jew-hater soe not have a Jewish soul.
Yair Lapid is not his father.
If Yair Lapid were anything like his father he would not have put multiple orthodox rabbis on his party list.
These comments are hysterical.
Charlie Hall a chazir always shows his "kosher" hooves but keeps his mouth buried in the shmutz
He should have known the ramifications when he threw his kippah into the political ring.
You're all idiots. Dov Lipman is simply proud to be a born and bred American. He is thankful of all that growing up in the US was able to afford him and for the refuge it gave is family during the first half of the 20th century. He was simply expressing sorrow at having to relinquish his legal membership of that great country. He did not by any means protest the law. He simply did so with "a heavy heart." Don't forget that his father was a US federal judge. He comes from a line of American Jews who were deeply involved in civic life in the US. For anyone who dares to accuse him or Yair Lapid of being "out to destroy Eretz Yisrael and Torah," you are propagators of Lashon Harah and a Chilul Hashem as people.
Dov Lipman is not a "progressive rabbi". He is sort of moderate hareidi.
He'd probably lose the US citizenship under US law even if the Israeli law did not exist. US policy is that you forfeit US citizenship when you accept a policy level position in a foreign country, and being an MK is certainly a policy level position.
In any case, congrats to Rav Lipman on his election to the Knesset!
Actually not Charlie. Dov was told by US officials that from their side he does not have to give up his citizenship.
Also, just for the record. Dov is not "afraid" of losing his citizenship, he's sad because he loves America and appreciates what its done for him, his family, and his people.
Actually not Charlie. Dov was told by US officials that from their side he does not have to give up his citizenship.
Also, just for the record. Dov is not "afraid" of losing his citizenship, he's sad because he loves America and appreciates what its done for him, his family, and his people.
This was the basis for my comment:
http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_778.html
The law has been around for a long time. I guess this reflect just how much he really knows about Israel. I have meet many such people over the years. They seem to think that we live in some sort of theme park that they can come visit for a good time vacation and then "go back home" to where they really live. A patriot is someone whose only loyalty is to his people and nation. What sort of patriot wants to keep his options open with a foreign power? When exercising his role as a Member of the Knesset, what will be his priority: what is good for Israel or what is good for America?