Let our people choose: Israel must legalize same-sex marriage

Israeli LGBTQ+ advocates have renewed calls for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Israel following two high-profile weddings over the weekend. While the ceremonies of Omer Adam and Sacha Israelovich in Portofino, Italy, and Emily Damari and Danielle Amit in Tel Aviv drew widespread celebration, the absence of legal recognition for same-sex unions in Israel underscores ongoing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community.

Same-sex marriage remains unrecognized under Israeli law, despite a 2022 ruling by the Supreme Court that directed the government to prepare a framework for formal recognition. However, the state has yet to implement this decision, leaving couples like Damari and Amit without the legal protections afforded to heterosexual married couples. The lack of legislation has drawn criticism from advocacy groups such as the Aguda – Israel’s LGBTQ Task Force, which argues that the government’s inaction violates the rights of same-sex couples.

Legal experts point out that Israel’s stance on marriage is unique. While same-sex marriages conducted abroad are registered retroactively, domestic unions remain unrecognized, creating a legal gray area for couples. Attorney Itai Pinkas-Druckman of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) emphasized the need for swift legislative action, stating that the current situation leaves same-sex couples vulnerable in areas such as inheritance, healthcare, and child custody.

Public support for same-sex marriage in Israel has grown in recent years. A 2023 survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 61% of Jewish Israelis and 37% of Arab Israelis favor legal recognition of same-sex unions. High-profile figures, including Omer Adam and former Knesset member Yael Dayan, have publicly endorsed the cause, adding momentum to the push for change.

The government’s failure to advance legislation has been attributed to political fragmentation and opposition from conservative factions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not taken a clear stance on the issue, though his Likud party includes lawmakers who oppose same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid has voiced support for LGBTQ+ rights, calling on the government to fulfill the Supreme Court’s directive.

Same-sex couples in Israel continue to navigate legal uncertainties, often relying on private contracts to secure their rights. Advocates argue that without legislative action, the government is failing to uphold the principle of equality enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. The renewed public focus on these weddings has reignited debates over marriage equality, with activists vowing to intensify pressure on lawmakers to act.

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