The uptick in applications for restored German citizenship from German Jews in the UK has begun. Prior to the Brexit referendum, UK citizens of German Jewish descent might not have felt a desire to have their German citizenship restored. But loss of an EU passport casts Germany in a new light. Thomas Harding expressed the sentiments of many others in his recent article for the Guardian, Brexit Drove me to Embrace my German Roots. Thanks to a reader for sending me this article in which Harding also cites Germany’s humane refugee policy as another factor that inspired him to seek German citizenship. A host of other recent articles report on Jewish fears of rising extremism and xenophobia in the post-Brexit UK.
Headed to the UK but for how long?
Our own disappointment in the Brexit vote hit home on a personal level. Our son Avery just met the rigorous requirements for acceptance to the mechanical engineering program at University of Southampton. He’ll still be able to enroll as an EU citizen for the next two years, but his tuition would more than double if he is reclassified as an international student so he’ll need to have a contingency plan for completing his degree. Our daughter Olivia hopes to study environmental science in Scotland where a potential new referendum on leaving the UK might still make that possible as an EU citizen. We’d love for our kids to pursue their undergraduate degrees in Germany, but as German and EU citizens we also value the freedom they have to choose among the member countries.
British Jews eligible for German citizenship may not be ready to fully embrace Germany, but does this matter? The fact that Germany offers them an avenue to membership in a more integrated European society is reason enough to clasp the hand of the German state. Despite pressures from its own anti-immigrant forces, Germany is still the country with the world’s best passport. British Jews of German descent who reclaim German citizenship will have some complicated identity issues to untangle. I’ve been in touch with a few applicants and hope to include some of their Brexit-related stories in my book on the German Jewish citizenship experience.
In the face of those who hadn’t a clue what they were voting for, to Leave, alternatives have to be sought. Those, such as Professor Micheal Dougan who conveyed the truth, were denounced by UKIP et al, as paid shills for the EU’s Ministry of Propaganda. In less than fortnight, the Pounds has fallen by 14% against the US Dollar, and, including the £160-billion that George Osborne has had to pump into the UK’s money supply, the UK economy has lost £300-billion.
Professor Michael Dougan assesses UK’s position following vote to leave the EU
Professor Michael Dougan on the EU Referendum
This is an interesting post.
Firstly Britain will still be part of the EU for at least 2 1/2 years. Your son should not be classified as an international student. Immigrants that have lived in Southampton for more than three years (up to the time we actual leave the EU) will be able entitled to stay here and apply for British citizenship if they wish.
My city has a long history of Jewish citizens. One only needs to look at the Jewish Cemetery on the Common. Many German Jews have been here since the atrocities of WW2 and regard themselves as true Sotonians and British. Southampton as a port has a long history of immigration. We were nearly all immigrants at some point.
Nobody knows what is going to happen in the “morning after” (Brexit), but actually the concern to be reclassified as an international (non EU) student seems very realistic to me. Universities in the UK are facing major austerity measures as it is, and are going to lose many EU research and student exchange funds.
I honest think that if you son starts this Autumn – he will escape International Fees for his whole period at University.
Thanks for these comments. Avery has received some reassurance from U of Southampton that his fees will not be increased during his studies. There is no guarantee but we do feel hopeful. We like your blog southamptonoldlady and we can’t wait to visit Southampton!
I would question your rather sweeping statement that “British Jews of German descent who reclaim German citizenship will have some complicated identity issues to untangle.” That might possibly be the case for some individuals, but this definitely isn’t so for the people I know who have already obtained German citizenship or are in the process of claiming it. Although it might seem slightly weird to hold a German passport (it sometimes does to me!), I’ve never struggled with my identity over it. Having German citizenship is essentially a means to retain EU citizenship, keeping doors open and having an additional travel document.
You’ve made a very valid point and I agree that not everyone who reclaims German citizenship will face identity issues. Since I’m an expat in Germany with dual U.S. and German citizenship, I find that I am constantly sorting through my feelings about both countries. I was assuming that British Jews might also find some of their feelings in a state of flux in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. Thanks for your comment.
Did you see this, Donna?
http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-post-brexit-uk-jews-are-seeking-german-passports/
I’m not sure if I saw this one before. Thanks for sending it, Dorothee! Hope all is well.