In 2011, Egypt started allowing Palestinians who had Egyptian mothers to become citizens. Tens of thousands of Gazans applied for citizenship, and hundreds received it.
The episode exposed one of the biggest lies of the Middle East, a lie that has been espoused by UNRWA from the beginning of its existence - that Palestinian Arabs do not want citizenship in Arab countries, and would prefer to remain stateless in anticipation of "return."
One of the most prominent to receive citizenship in Egypt was none other than Mahmoud Zahar, a prominent Hamas leader.
Now, it looks like Egypt may be having second thoughts.
According to reports, new Egyptian citizens who live in Gaza are receiving notices that their citizenship could be revoked if they are affiliated with any political party that is banned in Egypt. And the current Egyptian regime has banned the Muslim Brotherhood.
Hamas is of course an offshoot of the MB.
The reports say that many Gazans seeking to enter Egypt are being harassed at the Rafah crossing if their political views are considered suspect. Egyptian authorities have responded that naturalized citizens are not allowed to belong to any political party for five years after becoming citizens.
When Zahar became an Egyptian citizen he said explicitly that he wanted to vote for the Muslim Brotherhood in elections.
I have still yet to see a single major human rights group insist that Palestinians who wish to become citizens of Arab countries have that right. Not one.
