Key Players
Questions?
- Chief Rabbinate of Israel: religious authority for the Jewish majority marriages
- Similar authorities for Christians, Muslims, and other religious affiliations
Marriage Courts
- 15 total religious courts
- Regulate marriages and divorces for their communities
- All oppose same-sex marriage
- If one of these courts changes their view, then same-sex marriage is allowed in their community
History
Same Sex Marriage in Israel
- Cannot legally be performed in Israel
- State views marriage as religious institution
- State does not issue marriage licenses regardless of sexual orientation
- Separation of Church and State to avoid conflict between the various religions
Attitudes on Same-Sex Marriage
- 61% of Israelis support equal marriage rights for same-sex couples
- AND 60% support joint adoption by same sex couples!
Same Sex-Marriages Abroad
Political Support
Wedding Ceremonies
- Many members of Parliament support same-sex marriage
- In February 2009, a civil marriage bill which allowed for same-sex marriage was rejected
- Same-sex wedding ceremonies take place in Israel without legal significance
- If marriage occurs abroad, they can be recorded at the Border Crossings or Immigration Offices
- These records are defined as only "for statistical purposes"
- This allows the state to avoid recognizing same-sex marriages