עכשיו אני מכריז עליכם צ 'אק ולארי
For many, the idea of an Israeli civil marriage may seem an oxymoron, and not just in religious terms. Still, for those in the latter category whose godlessness, sloth, or attitude toward Rabbinocracy might have sent them to Cyprus, there is good news.
JTA reports that Knesset passed a Civil Union bill. By a substantial margin no less. Now mind you, this is a victory for the GLBT community as well, which often had to rely on a loophole for partner rights when it came to property, inheritance, and what not.
So, kol hakavod for a step forward. I don’t want to think about the political price that may be paid for this (one hopes it isn’t tied to some new conversion acceptance policy). But for the moment, progress. Who’d have thought that this day would come, amidst the Knesset’s notorious acrimony, bickering and partisanship?
Who knows, maybe non-Orthodox Jewish weddings will be next…
While I am happy for those without a religious affiliation, this law will make it even harder for those of us with a religious affiliation to get married in Israel in a recognized way without the rabbanut. On the other hand, perhaps we’re better off not being recognized in the first place.
As for same-sex couples, what makes you think they will be recognized by this law? As it is new they do get some partner benefits, how will that change?
“this is also a victory for the GLBT community as well, which often had to rely on a loophole for partner rights when it came to property, inheritance and what not.”
Ever heard of a “will”?
Adam writes: “Now mind you, this is also a victory for the GLBT community as well…”
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
This piece of legislation is TOTAL BULLSHIT! TOTAL!
Why did it pass by a “substantial majority?” Precisely because it does almost nothing. Indeed it may be a step backward.
It is seen a a step forward only by those who feel that it allows a foot in the door for the future.
It does not allow civil marriage in any substantial numbers. It does NOT effect Gays, Jews, Muslims, Christians.
It will allow only those without religious registration (estimated to be about 60,000 of the 340,000 Russian Olim here under the Law of Return who are not Halachic Jews) to marry each other. And this only after obtaining Rabbinate Beit Din approval that they are not suspected of maybe having a Jewish grandmother. And after obtaining proof that they are not suspected of being Russian Orthodox (or any other denomination). And even then the union could only be registered 18 months after the fact.
This may effect somewhere between 2 and 20 couples a year. It allows Leiberman to return to his contiuency with glee. He will claim to have fulfilled his promise to bring civil marriage to Israel.
This will also give the Knesset an excuse to not deal with the real need for a long time.
Helping Gays? The wording of the law (written by MK David Rotem-the same man who wrote the new Conversion law under consideration) makes clear that it applies ONLY to a man and a women.
Please read my blog on this subject written many months back: http://cgis.jpost.com/Blogs/conservative/entry/civil_unions_in_israel_but
Yeah, this bill is no civil union bill. At least, not as as Americans understand “civil union”.