Israeli government advances legislation for same-sex partners of fallen soldiers

Cross posting from GD

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218433150

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, approved in a first reading legislation that would recognize same-sex partners of fallen Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. The initiative follows the death of Sagi Golan, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and an officer who was killed while defending Kibbutz Be'eri from Hamas. His partner struggled at first to receive formal recognition as a spouse, but the Israeli Defense Ministry said it would already interpret the existing law as including same-sex partners. The couple intended to get married on October 20.

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After Golan's death, there was controversary over what an IDF representative informed his partner, saying that he needed to apply to the Defense Ministry to be recognized as a spouse since same-sex marriages were under different legal authorities in Israel.

Israeli lawmaker from the Yesh Atid party and chairman of the LGBT+ caucus in the Knesset, Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu, stressed the importance of this change. Lahav-Hertzanu said the LGBT+ community is an integral part of Israeli society and that legislation must also include it. The bill is expected to be put to a vote on second and third readings next week and could then be enshrined in the Israeli Legal Code.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1698845508-knesset-approves-formal-recognition-of-same-sex-partners-of-idf-fallen-soldiers