Those applying for nationality will have to submit proof of their historic ties to Spain: the language spoken by their family, for instance, their surname, or a certificate from Jewish authorities in Spain. The government expects up to 150,000 people around the world to seek Spanish nationality through the scheme. With this initiative a circle has been closed. The expulsion of 1492 was an attempt by Spains monarchs, King Fernando and Queen Isabel, to create a homogenous Catholic country. Vicente Alvarez, a medieval historian at Madrids Autonoma University, said that conversion, rather than expulsion, was the initial aim. All Jews were given the option of having to convert to Christianity or to leave the country within four months, he said. The penalty for remaining in Spain without being baptised was death. Rather than convert, the majority of Jews left Spain - despite being stripped of most of their belongings.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 07:44:41 +0000
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