Germany has granted citizenship to Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli security guard who was held captive by Hamas for nearly two years and has faced criticism over public statements advocating the execution of Palestinian prisoners.
Braslavski, 22, posted a photo of his German naturalisation certificate on Instagram on Tuesday, saying authorities had formally granted him citizenship following his release from captivity in October 2025 as part of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
The Israeli citizen cited his German roots on his father’s side.
The decision has drawn criticism on social media because of comments Braslavski made after his release.
In August, he asked far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a podcast for permission to personally execute Palestinian prisoners.
“Let me be the one to hang them,” Braslavski said, adding that he wanted to carry out the executions himself rather than use a rope. Ben-Gvir responded that he would look into the request.
Citizenship decision comes amid wider death-penalty debate
The naturalisation also comes as Israel faces international criticism over legislation expanding the use of the death penalty for certain offences classified as "terrorism".
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, approved a controversial death-penalty law in April that provides for capital punishment in cases involving acts deemed by courts to constitute "terrorism" or "threaten Israel’s existence". The law provides for execution by hanging and applies only to Palestinians.
Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Israeli rights group B’Tselem, have condemned the legislation, with critics arguing that it disproportionately targets Palestinians.
Germany expedited naturalisation procedures for several Israeli prisoners with documented German ancestry after October 7, 2023, according to the information provided.
German authorities have not publicly commented on Braslavski’s individual case or explained whether his public statements played any role in the citizenship decision.
Braslavski was captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and released in October 2025 under a ceasefire agreement.
The citizenship decision has since prompted renewed debate online over Germany’s naturalisation process, the treatment of former captives and the limits of public statements advocating violence against Palestinians.
