Sephardi Chief Rabbi given Spanish passport

Jewish News reports:  Jerusalem’s chief rabbi was at a loss this
week to explain why the Spanish government had suddenly and
inexplicably made him a Spanish citizen. Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who was born
in Morocco, said he did not ask for citizenship. He believed it may
have been in recognition of his work for Sephardi Jewry.

According to the Jerusalem Post:

The Spanish nationality was
conferred on Amar Friday, according to the EFE news agency, along with
219 others. They were made Spanish nationals by a decree as per
legislation that passed last year, under which descendants of Sephardi
Jews with proven ties to Spain may naturalize as Spanish citizens. Over
4,300 have been awarded Spanish nationality under the law.