Marine Le Pen: If Elected, French-Israelis Will Have To Make A Choice Over Nationality

People holding dual French and Israeli citizenship would have to give up one of their nationalities, if National Party president and presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, is elected.

Le Pen, from the far-right National Front party, said in an interview with France 2 TV, that she would not allow French citizens to hold dual citizenship in non-European countries if she were to be elected. "I am opposed to a policy allowing dual citizenship in (non-European) countries," she said.

To a question, if she would effectively ask Jewish French citizens "if they were willing to renounce their dual Israeli citizenship," Le Pen said yes, adding, "Israel is not a European Union country.”

The presidential hopeful stressed that such a policy would not be about Jews, but rather about French Israelis, "to whom I ask to choose their nationality." She said those who would choose to give up their French citizenship can continue to reside in the country as "France is perfectly capable of allowing foreigners on its soil, even for a long time, as long as they respect French laws and values."

"We rarely have issues with Israel on this subject," she said.

Le Pen is a leading contender in the upcoming French presidential contest, with a recent poll showing her advancing to the second round of balloting in May but still losing handily to front-runner Emmanuel Marcon.