MADRID — Spain has announced new measures to speed up the naturalization of Jews of Sephardic descent whose ancestors fled the Iberian peninsula five centuries ago when they were told to convert to Catholicism or go into exile.

The Cabinet approved a bill amending previous legislation that granted nationality by naturalization to Sephardic Jews who chose to apply for it. The reform will allow dual nationality, enabling people who can prove Sephardic ancestry to also retain their previous citizenships.

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said Friday the measure smooths the bureaucracy involved in obtaining Spanish nationality.

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Applicants must be vetted by the government and the Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities.

Sephardic Jews emigrated to cities including Istanbul, London and Cairo after the 1492 decree. Many who didn’t convert were executed during the Inquisition.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.