Growing Number Of Israeli Cities Recognize Gay Couples

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/01/010408is.htm

Tel Aviv is the latest Israeli city to announce it will recognize same-sex couples, a move that has angered rabbis and the religious parties.

The city said it will accept partnership cards issued by the New Family organization, a group that represents couples who are gay or are of different religious backgrounds who cannot marry in Israel.

New Family arranges for couples to exchange vows in front of an attorney and sign a register and a commitment statement. It then issues the couples wallet sized cards saying they have been united.

Tel Aviv officials said that couples who have the cards will be recognized in the same way legally married couples are for all municipal services included taxes.

now how many cities in Arab countries recognize gay couples?

that's right-they don't

[UndertheOcean]

1. wait a minute , WAIT A MINUTE ==>

....a group that represents couples who are gay or are of different religious backgrounds who cannot marry in Israel.


I didn't know that, you must have the same religion as your partner to marry in Israel to begin with, WTF ???????

[Fearless]

3. Hmm...

It could also mean those not of the Jewish religion, but I can't see how that could be true... Someone... little info...

[Behind the Aegis]

4. My understanding is...

There is no "civil marriage" in Israel at the moment. All marriages must be a religious one in nature. Therefore, no mixed religion marriages, but Muslim to Muslim or Jew to Jew or Christian to Christian are legally preformed in Israel. However, should a Jew and Muslim wish to marry, or any combo of religion or no religion (including gays and lesbians), can travel abroad (usually Cyprus), get married, and return to Israel and their marriage is recognized by the state of Israel but not by the religious groups. There is a strong movement to have civil marriages introduced into Israel and this being pushed by secular Jews and others.

[UndertheOcean]

5. That need sto change soon,

I hope the seculars succeed in their efforts in introducing civil marriages.

The situation in Arab countries is much worse , but Israel shouldn't be compared to those countries , but rather to the
West.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I agree whole-heartedly!

I support the separation of "church" and state, no matter the state. My understanding is the secular movement is making headway in that arena (marriage) and a few other places, which is a good thing, I think.

Personally, I think Israel really can't be compared easily to either the Arab countries or the "West," because it really is a mixture of both cultures.

[dsc]

6. Unless the political system is reformed I don't see how they will do it

The religious parties wind up king makers and extract ludricrious concessions from either Labor or Likud to help form a majority.

[Divine Discontent]

2. amen!

amen indeed! good to hear!

and in typical non-shock, it's sad to know that our oil producing friends are the most vicious against rights for people other than men, and men of their race.