New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz pushes “pro-choice” bill for civil marriage and divorce

On the opening day of the new, 18th, Knesset, freshman New Movement-Meretz MK, Nitzan Horowitz, submitted a bill that would allow for civil marriage and divorce by all citizens of Israel.

Horowitz explained that the bill was designed to give Israel's citizens, "basic freedom of individual choice" between civil or religious practices. "In Israel of 2009, there is no reason for us to force people to get married on the steps of the Rabbinate, and not on the steps of City Hall," he said. A similar bill had been submitted in the past by former Meretz MK, Zehava Galon.

Horowitz explained that his bill is far more inclusive than the limited "civil union" proposal of MK Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu. Unlike the Lieberman plan, which deals only with heterosexuals whom the Rabbinate refuses to marry (mostly immigrants from the former Soviet Union who are not considered Jewish by the Rabbinate), Horowitz's bill would extend these civil rights to the gay community, to couples who simply prefer civil marriage or divorce, and to other groups.

Horowitz slammed Lieberman for, "folding to the religious establishment and hurting large sectors in Israel". He also derided Kadima, which is crafting a bill similar to Lieberman's, for, "remember[ing], after three years in power," that this is part of their agenda.

• To learn more about Nitzan Horowitz, click here.
• For more information on Israel's current marriage and divorce laws, click here for a detailed roundup by the US Embassy in Israel.
• For the original item on the Meretz party website (Hebrew), please click here.