Editing Naturalization (section)

===Israel===
{{Main|Israeli citizenship law}}
[[Israel]]'s [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] was made on 14 May 1948, the day before the British Mandate was due to expire as a result of the United Nations Partition Plan.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0514.html "Zionists Proclaim New State of Israel; Truman Recognizes it and Hopes for Peace"], ''[[New York Times]]'', 15 May 1948</ref> The Israeli parliament created two laws regarding immigration, citizenship and naturalization: the [[Law of Return]] and the [[Israeli citizenship law]].<ref name="Warsoff">Warsoff, Louis A. "Citizenship in the State of Israel – a Comment", ''New York University Law Review'' 33(1958): 857–862. Web. 28 Nov. 2011</ref> The Law of Return, enacted on July 15, 1950, gives [[Jews]] living anywhere in the world the right to immigrate to Israel. This right to immigrate did not and still does not grant citizenship. In fact, for four years after Israel gained independence, there were no Israeli citizens.<ref name="Warsoff" />

On July 14, 1952, the Israeli parliament enacted the Israeli Nationality Law.<ref name="Warsoff" /> The Nationality Law naturalized all citizens of [[Mandatory Palestine|Mandated Palestine]], the inhabitants of Israel on July 15, 1952, and those who had legally resided in Israel between May 14, 1948, and July 14, 1952. The law further clarified that naturalization was available to immigrants who had arrived before Israel's creation, immigrants who arrived after statehood was granted, and those who did not come to Israel as immigrants but have since expressed desire to settle in Israel, with restriction. Naturalization applicants must also meet the following requirements: be over 18 years of age, have resided in Israel for three out of the five preceding years, have settled or intend to settle permanently in Israel, have some knowledge of Hebrew, and have renounced prior nationality or demonstrated ability to renounce nationality after becoming a citizen of Israel.<ref name="Warsoff" />

Because of Israel's relatively new and culturally mixed identity, Israel does not grant citizenship to people born on Israeli soil. Instead, the government chose to enact a jus sanguinis system, with the naturalization restrictions listed above. There is currently no legislation on second-generation immigrants (those born in Israel to immigrant parents). Furthermore, foreign spouses can apply for citizenship through the Minister of the Interior, but have a variety of restrictions and are not guaranteed citizenship.<ref name="Weil">Weil, Patrick. "Comparing Twenty-Five Nationality Laws." ''Citizenship Today: Global Perspectives and Practices''. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2001. 16–35. Print</ref>