Recognition of same-sex unions in Israel

Non-religious same-sex wedding ceremonies without legal significance are commonly conducted in Israel, most notably in Tel Aviv.

[3] The first unofficial municipal wedding took place in August 2009, following the Tel Aviv Pride Parade; five couples were married by Mayor Ron Huldai.

Despite this fact, unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples have equal access to virtually all of the rights of married couples in the form of an "unregistered cohabitation" status (Hebrew: קוהביטציה שאינה רשומה,[15] kohabitatzyah she'einah reshumah, pronounced [kohabitatsˈjah ʃeʔeiˈnah ʁeʃuˈmah]; Arabic: المساكنة غير المسجلة, al-musākanah ghayr al-musajjalah) similar to common-law marriage.

The case was filed by five male Israeli couples married in Canada who sought recognition of their marriage back home in Israel.

"[16] Lawyers for the couples cited a Supreme Court case from 1962 that the government must register civil marriages performed abroad.

In December 2016, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit instructed the Interior Ministry to consider applications for citizenship by same-sex and opposite-sex couples equally under the same terms.

In June 2020, officials in Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality announced they would register interfaith and cohabiting same-sex couples as married.

Mayor Ron Huldai said the move makes those who register eligible for housing tax discounts as well as easing enrollment of their children in public daycares and schools.

[22] The Interior Ministry instructed to freeze the procedure after three marriages were recognized by the Population Authority, prompting dozens of couples to seek legal action.

Judge Efrat Fink of the Central District Court in Lod ruled on 7 July 2022 that the Interior Ministry must recognize all the online marriages.

MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu welcomed the ruling, saying that it "is important and just, and it simply states the obvious – a couple who marries abroad (even via Zoom) must be recognized in Israel.

Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz said, "It is unthinkable to me that a country can allow any of its citizens to become dependent on a foreign entity for such a basic need and right as marriage.

MK Avi Maoz of the extremist Noam party, known for his violent anti-LGBT beliefs and opposing women serving in the Israel Defense Forces, said that the ruling was "ignoring policy that has been in effect for decades.

[35] In June 2013, Hatnuah MKs, led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, introduced a bill to establish civil unions in Israel for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

[36] In October 2013, Yesh Atid MKs, led by Finance Minister Yair Lapid, introduced a similar bill.

[40][41][42] The vote happened shortly after an estimated 250,000 people marched in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, and an opinion poll found that a majority of Israelis supported same-sex marriage.

[46] The court handed down its ruling in Israel Organization for Protection of Individual Rights v. Ministry of Interior on 31 August 2017, determining that the issue was the responsibility of the Knesset, and not the judiciary.

[47][48] After the April 2019 elections and the election of a record five openly LGBT MKs, it was announced that the Knesset would replace the term "husband and wife" with "couple" on all its official documents, and would grant equal rights to the partners of LGBT legislators, such as permanent entry passes to the Knesset, authorization to drive Knesset-issued cars assigned to their partners, and invitations to all official ceremonies and events.

Omer Ohana, whose partner Sagi Golan, an IDF reservist who died in Be'eri during a Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, campaigned for the change.

[51] Political parties and alliances represented in the Knesset, as of 2024, that have expressed support for same-sex marriage include the National Unity,[52] The Democrats, New Hope, Yesh Atid, and Hadash.

The government sworn in after the 2021 election included a theoretical majority of parties in favour of same-sex marriage: Yesh Atid, Blue and White, Labor, New Hope, and Meretz.

In May 2015, following Ireland's legalization of same-sex marriage by popular vote, Huldai reiterated his support, calling on the Knesset to act.

[80] A June 2016 poll showed that 76% of respondents supported civil unions or same-sex marriage, including 46% of Religious Zionists and 16% of Haredi Jews.

[82] A Rafi Smith Institute poll conducted in June 2017 asked Israelis, "Do you think same-sex couples should be permitted to marry or have civil unions in Israel?"

[43] LGBT activists subsequently urged the Knesset to act on the issue and legalize same-sex marriage, as "there is broad public support".

[8] A Pew Research Center poll conducted between February and May 2023 showed that 36% of Israelis supported same-sex marriage, 56% were opposed and 8% did not know or had refused to answer.