The Myth of Isaraeli Citizens in Congress

[Keith Broaders]

No, there are no confirmed cases of current or recent members of the U.S. Congress holding Israeli citizenship alongside their U.S. citizenship. This is a persistent online rumor, often rooted in antisemitic tropes that conflate Jewish heritage or support for Israel with dual citizenship, but it has been repeatedly debunked by fact-checkers and public statements from lawmakers themselves.

Key Facts and Context

• No Automatic Citizenship for Jews: Israel's Law of Return (1950) allows Jews worldwide to immigrate and apply for citizenship if they intend to settle there permanently. It does not grant automatic citizenship upon birth in the U.S. or casual visits. American-born Jewish members of Congress must actively apply for Israeli citizenship, and there's no evidence any have done so.
• Denials from Prominent Members:
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) explicitly denied dual citizenship in a 2015 radio interview, calling the claim "nonsense" from the internet.
  • Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Senate Majority Leader and a Jewish senator, has his spokesperson confirm he holds only U.S. citizenship.
• Current Jewish Members of Congress: As of 2025, there are 10 Jewish senators and 25 Jewish House members (about 6% of Congress total). None are reported to have Israeli citizenship. Lists circulating online claiming "89" or dozens of dual citizens are fabrications, often just repackaged lists of Jewish politicians without evidence.
• U.S. Law on Dual Citizenship: The U.S. permits dual citizenship, but members of Congress must be U.S. citizens for at least seven years (House) or nine years (Senate). There's no requirement to disclose foreign citizenship, which fuels speculation, but no verified instances exist for Israel. A 2023 bill (H.R. 7484, Dual Citizenship Disclosure Act) proposed mandating disclosure but didn't pass.
• Origins of the Rumor: It stems from conspiracy theories amplified on social media since at least 2009, often tied to anti-Israel sentiment or broader antisemitism. Fact-checks from PolitiFact, Snopes, and the Washington Post trace it to distorted interpretations of Jewish lists or the Law of Return.

Why This Matters

While dual citizenship isn't illegal, transparency is key to avoiding perceived conflicts of interest, especially on foreign policy. Critics (including some lawmakers like Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY) argue for stricter rules, but claims of widespread Israeli dual citizenship are unsubstantiated and often serve to question the loyalty of Jewish Americans.

If new evidence emerges (e.g., via mandatory disclosure laws), this could change, but based on all available public records as of October 2025, the answer is no.