Labor party MKs including Shelly Yacimovich and Eitan Cabel are behind a bill that seeks to legalize civil marriage in Israel. The bill is sponsored in cooperation with the Center for Religious Reform.

The MKs feel citizens of Israel should have the right to get married in Israel without having to do so via the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, as is the case to date. This would permit the growing number of couples traveling to Cyprus to get married in Israel.

Chareidi and dati leumi MKs are opposed to the bill as is the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel used his Facebook page to announce to the tzibur his party will act immediately to block the legislation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)