The constitution specifically proscribes anyone who is “entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or citizen” from standing for parliament. What does that mean for those who could apply for Israeli citizenship under Israel’s right of return?
Throughout all the trials and travails of section 44 of the constitution, tales of phantom New Zealanders — and the possibility that the entire Parliament is invalid — one issue has remained undiscussed and unexamined: whether any potential of breach arises for a number of MPs due to Israel’s “right of return”, which is offered to Jewish-descended people and their spouses. The reason? Politics. The argument? That the right to apply for citizenship does not constitute “the rights or privileges” of citizenship itself.
Read the full article by Guy Rundle at Crikey (subscription required).
[Refer to The Crikey fish stinks from the head by Michael Danby on J-Wire]
