The regulation of marriage (and "personal status") is by the religious authorities as inheretied from British Mandatory Law [Palestine Order in Council (1922)], which in turn was based on the Ottoman Law.
Since all religious athorities are against giving up these perogatives (control over their various denominations), it has impossible to establish civil marriages. But all out of state marriages, inlcuding civil ones (including between religious groups) are recognized by the state.
When looking at the term "Jewish Democratic" state, the Jewish referes to the nationality (peoplehood)and not the religious aspects of the Jews. It is mirrored by the Arabs as people/nationality, not by Moslem. Thus, as stated in the Declaration of Independece, it is the home of the People of Israel (i.e., Jews). This does not mean that minorities can not live in equality (and dignity), as individuals, under the law. |
|
