Current Version
| Region | Israel |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Unregistered cohabitation |
| Start Date | 1994 |
| End Date | Nov 20, 2006 |
| Description | Israel does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In Israel, marriage is mostly regulated by religious institutions. However, in 1994 Israel expanded the Legal status of Unregistered Cohabitation to same sex couples, today it works virtually the same way as marriage with a few exceptions. Israel was the first country in Asia to grant such recognition and this legal status is still available to same sex couples. |
| Sources | https://supremedecisions.court.gov.il/Home/Download?path=EnglishVerdicts/94/210/007/Z01&fileName=94007210_Z01.txt&type=4 |
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Revision History (18)
| Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Nov 21, 2006 | Nov 20, 2006 |
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | (none) | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Description | Israel does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In Israel, marriage is strictly regulated by religious institutions, and same-sex marriage is not performed by any of the officially recognized religious authorities in the country. However, same-sex couples have the option to enter into a civil union or to enter an unregistered cohabitation relationship. | Israel does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In Israel, marriage is mostly regulated by religious institutions. However, in 1994 Israel expanded the Legal status of Unregistered Cohabitation to same sex couples, today it works virtually the same way as marriage with a few exceptions. Israel was the first country in Asia to grant such recognition and this legal status is still available to same sex couples. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti https://www.jta.org/2023/01/17/politics/israel-has-been-an-lgbtq-haven-in-the-middle-east-its-new-government-could-change-that | https://supremedecisions.court.gov.il/Home/Download?path=EnglishVerdicts/94/210/007/Z01&fileName=94007210_Z01.txt&type=4 |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Sources | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti https://www.jta.org/2023/01/17/politics/israel-has-been-an-lgbtq-haven-in-the-middle-east-its-new-government-could-change-that | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti https://www.jta.org/2023/01/17/politics/israel-has-been-an-lgbtq-haven-in-the-middle-east-its-new-government-could-change-that |
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Reports (2)
- Status is not correct "If the note says that civil unions are available, then that's what the status should be"
- Status is not correct "Same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions will be recognized, including those performed over zoom in Utah so there is now de facto recognition of same-sex marriage performed on Israel soil so long as the marriage is registered in another jurisdiction. The prohibition of marriage through these really system is not actually due to homophobia it is due to religious law that restricts marriage ridiculously, and I know many heterosexual couples who are unable to get married due to religious laws. "
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Civil unions (marriage rights) | Unregistered cohabitation |
| Description | Couples of the same gender are eligible for civil unions | Israel does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In Israel, marriage is strictly regulated by religious institutions, and same-sex marriage is not performed by any of the officially recognized religious authorities in the country. However, same-sex couples have the option to enter into a civil union or to enter an unregistered cohabitation relationship. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti https://www.jta.org/2023/01/17/politics/israel-has-been-an-lgbtq-haven-in-the-middle-east-its-new-government-could-change-that |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Unregistered cohabitation | Civil unions (marriage rights) |
| Start Date | Nov 6, 2006 | 1994 |
| Description | Gay marriage pending, civil unions. As well as unregistered cohabitation. | Couples of the same gender are eligible for civil unions |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 https://database.ilga.org/israel-lgbti |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only | Unregistered cohabitation |
Reports (2)
- Status is not correct "Israel recognizes same sex marriages since 2006, but the state does not offer civil marriage, so a foreign marriage licence must be obtained. This can be done without leaving the country since 2021. There is also common law marriages for same sex couples. "
- Status is not correct "Same sex marriages from abroad are recognized"
Reports (1)
- Duplicate entry "The concept corresponding to "civil union" is "publicly known" status (as a couple). By virtue of Israeli court rulings over the years, the rights of "publicly known" LGBT couples have been compared to married heterosexual couples in all economic, social and occupational matters. Foreign same-sex marriages are legally recognized as "publicly known" status and are therefore entitled to the same rights and obligations as a married couple. In Israel, it is possible to sign a "partnership certificate" at a variety of agencies that deal with this, and thus receive the recognition (but it is also possible without the "certificate").
Source: https://www.kolzchut.org.il/he/%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%9D_%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%99_%D7%96%D7%95%D7%92_%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A8_%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%93_%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%99%D7%98%D7%95%D7%97_%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%99"
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Unregistered cohabitation | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| End Date | Jul 19, 2018 | Jul 28, 2018 |
| Description | Gay marriage pending, civil unions. | Gay marriage pending, civil unions. As well as unregistered cohabitation. |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only | Unregistered cohabitation |
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Jul 2, 2018 | Jul 9, 2018 |
| Sources | http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 | http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/ http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Mar 23, 2018 | May 3, 2018 |
| Sources | http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ | http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/02/poll-overwhelming-majority-jewish-israelis-back-sex-marriage/ https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/High-Court-hints-it-will-pass-same-sex-marriage-legalization-question-to-Knesset-478060 |
Show Difference | ||