Lapid: B’Yachad will seek civil marriage in Israel
In Israel, the B’Yachad party will seek to introduce civil marriage and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community if it joins the next government. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who is second on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s electoral list, told the Jerusalem Post.
Legislation in the first 100 days
According to Lapid, B’Yachad will seek to pass legislation within the first 100 days of the new government’s work that would guarantee equal rights to all couples in Israel. The party was formed through an alliance between Bennett and Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid party. It is one of the leading forces in the opposition bloc, which aims to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October elections.
Civil marriages are not conducted in Israel because the current religious system stipulates that Jews may marry and divorce only through the rabbinate. This prevents same-sex couples from marrying in the country. Some couples travel abroad for a civil ceremony; such marriages are legally recognized upon their return and grant spousal rights.
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Lapid’s and Bennett’s positions
Lapid said Israel should have a parallel option of civil marriage for anyone who wants it. He also said that B’Yachad, as a liberal party, is committed to equal rights for all and intends to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
Bennett, who was prime minister in 2021, has recently taken more liberal positions while maintaining a right-wing approach to security issues. He said he would not form a coalition with Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, parties. Bennett also called for ending state funding for those who evade military service and repealing controversial legislation passed by the previous government with the support of Haredi parties.
