Openly gay MK submits bill to legalize civil marriages

First-term Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz submitted a bill for the legalization of civil marriages and divorces in Israel, just minutes after the 18th Knesset kicked off its opening session on Tuesday.

The bill would "enable every Israeli citizen the freedom to choose between a religious or civil marriage, and between a religious and civil divorce," Meretz wrote in a statement. Former Meretz whip Zahava Gal-On and a number of other MKs have submitted a similar bill in the past.

"This is about a basic freedom of choice for every human being, as is accepted in every developed country of the world," said Horowitz.

"In 2009 Israel, there is no reason we should have to force people to get married on the steps of the rabbinate or on the steps of a city hall," he added. "Every bill on the subject of 'civil unions' simply folds before the religious institution and affect a great number of Israelis."

Horowitz had announced last week his plans to bring forward bill that would allow marriages or civil unions between two partners regardless of their religion, ethnic background, or gender.

Horowitz said his plan would counter one put forward by Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman, which only applies to couples that cannot get married through the rabbinate, and will not include couples from the homosexual community.

With regard to Kadima's plan to submit a similar bill for "civil unions," Horowitz said on Tuesday: "It's good that Kadima has remembered, after three years in power, that they have a civil agenda."

Lawmakers submitted over 170 bills in less than three hours on the first day of the new Knesset's meeting.

MK David Rotem of Yisrael Beiteinu was the first to submit a bill that would secure rights for citizens serving in the military or national service.

Over the following weeks members of Knesset are expected to submit more than 4,000 bills. Many of the proposed laws will be submitted by the over 80 lawmakers which have held on to their seat from the previous Knesset. Many of those bills have already been rejected by the plenum in the past.

The Knesset's activities will remain limited with only the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Finance Committee functioning until the formation of a new government coalition. In order to fill the void created by the temporary restraints on parliamentary activity a different minister from every department will every day brief the plenum on his or her ministry's activities, and answer questions leveled by the new lawmakers.

Representatives of every faction will meet Wednesday to agree on the creation of an organizing committee for the Knesset headed by MK Gideon Saar of Likud, the party expected to form the coalition.

MK Yoel Hasson of Kadima, the largest single parliamentary faction, said he expected parity with Likud in the delegation of positions in the temporary committees.