In 1912, following the Italo-Turkish War, Italy conquered the island of Rhodes.

Consequently, those living on the island of Rhodes and the other Aegean islands annexed by Italy (Astypalaia, Rhodes, Chalki, Karpathos, Kassos, Tilos, Nisyros, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Symi, Kos, and Lastelloriz) became holders of Italian citizenship, or Aegean citizenship (pursuant to Legislative Decree 1854 of October 15, 1925, converted into Law no. 1139 of April 15, 1926, and Legislative Decree no. 1379 of October 19, 1933), which did not include the enjoyment of political rights and consequently excluded its holders from participation in the life of the state political community, as well as excluding them from compulsory military service.

With Article 3 of Royal Decree No. 1381 of September 7, 1938, entitled "Provisions Concerning Foreign Jews," and with Article 23 of Royal Decree No. 1728 of November 17, 1938, entitled "Provisions for the Defense of the Italian Race," the Italian citizenship granted to foreign Jews by the Treaty of Lausanne was revoked.

With the end of World War II, and with Article 2 of Royal Decree No. 25 of January 20, 1944, the aforementioned citizenship revocation provisions were annulled and the automatic reacquisition of Italian citizenship was established.

Following the landing of British forces in Rhodes and the occupation of the Dodecanese by Allied Forces, on June 27, 1946, the Dodecanese was granted to Greece, and with Article 2 of Royal Decree No. Article 29 of the Italo-Hellenic Agreement, signed subsequently in Rome on August 31, 1949, and ratified by Law No. 1752 of October 6, 1951, established that individuals domiciled on June 10, 1940, in the Dodecanese Islands who had opted, or would opt, for Italian citizenship by October 31, 1949, would be authorized to move to Italy. Those who had already left that territory would be considered to have opted for Italian citizenship.

Thus, with the recognition of Italian citizenship for Jews born in Rhodes and the other Dodecanese Islands who possessed minor Italian citizenship, Italian citizenship was also recognized for their descendants, by transmission by law of blood.