Thousands queue for EU citizenship as Israelis seek security following Hamas’s barbaric October 7 massacre.
Thousands of Israelis flooded the entrance of Cinema City Glilot in Ramat Hasharon on Friday morning, forming lines that snaked deep into the underground parking complex, as they raced to secure rare in-person appointments with the Portuguese Embassy for citizenship and passport renewal.
The overwhelming turnout came after the embassy announced an exceptional opportunity: a temporary revival of “Old times are back,” allowing people to line up without online scheduling—bypassing an appointment system that has been chronically overloaded for years. The event offered slots for December and January appointments, and for many Israelis, it was the first realistic opportunity in months to obtain Portuguese citizenship or renew an existing passport.
The embassy clarified on Facebook that the event was “open to all Portuguese citizens,” but Israelis quickly understood what it meant: a fleeting chance to secure an EU passport, something that has become increasingly valuable since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacre and the ensuing war in Gaza.
People arrived before sunrise, some clutching documents, others bringing food and camping chairs as they prepared for hours-long waits. Many left after seeing the sheer scale of the crowds. In a post following the event, the embassy confirmed that “thousands” had been served and “no one was left unattended.”
🇵🇹 Why Portuguese Citizenship?
The surge in demand began after Portugal’s 2015 Sephardic citizenship law, which granted nationality to descendants of Portuguese Jews exiled or persecuted during the 16th-century Inquisition. For Israelis—especially those with Sephardic roots—the policy was a meaningful opportunity for historic justice.
Portugal announced in 2023 it would tighten the policy, requiring applicants to demonstrate “genuine links to Portugal,” such as living in the country for three years. But it did not fully abolish the path.
Portuguese passports—soon to last 10 years instead of the current five—remain highly attractive because they grant:
- EU free movement
- Lower tuition rates at European universities
- Lower cost of living compared to Israel
- Economic and personal security in uncertain times
🇮🇱 A Post-October 7 Reality
Demand for foreign passports surged dramatically after Hamas’s October 7 massacre, which left over 1,200 Israelis murdered and thousands wounded or kidnapped. The event shattered Israelis’ sense of security and triggered a wave of existential uncertainty.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have left the country since the war began, and many more are pursuing second citizenship as a precaution. The Portuguese line-up at Cinema City reflects this new reality: Israelis seeking options, security, and global mobility in a world where Iran-backed terror proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad—have radically altered the strategic landscape.
What was once a bureaucratic queue has become a symbol of a nation balancing resilience with preparedness.
