Frequently Asked Questions
One of LGBT Olim’s goals is to provide answers to LGBT-related Aliyah questions.
We realize that not everyone is comfortable talking to the Aliyah organizations about LGBT-related topics,
so below is a list of frequently asked questions.
If your question is not answered here, please click here to submit your question.
Can I make Aliyah?
The Law of Return states that anyone with at least one grandparent who is Jewish according to halacha (Jewish law) can make Aliyah. The law does not discriminate on the basis of sexuality or gender identity.
How do I make aliyah?
This depends upon where you are located. If you’re in North America, you should contact Nefesh B’Nefesh. Otherwise, you should contact the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). Their Service Center is a good place to start.
One other option, if you’re already in Israel, is to contact Misrad Hapnim (the Interior Ministry) directly.
More information on our I plan to make Aliyah page.
Can my non-Jewish partner move to Israel with me?
If you are legally married, then yes. Israeli recognizes marriages performed outside of Israel, including same-sex marriages. You and your same-sex spouse will be treated the same way as a heterosexual married couple.
As long as one of you is Jewish, you can both make Aliyah together as a married couple. You will need to submit an apostilled marriage certificate as part of your Aliyah application. Please note that civil unions are not accepted. More information about LGBT rights in Israel can be found on Wikipedia.
Can our children come too?
Yes. However, if your spouse is not Jewish, the children must either be the Jewish spouse’s biological children or have been legally adopted by the Jewish spouse.
Can I get married in Israel?
Marriage in Israel is controlled by a number of religious authorities, one for each recognized religion, and they only marry heterosexual couples who share the same religion. Civil marriages cannot be performed in Israel, however marriages performed overseas (including same-sex marriages) are fully recognized. For more information, please refer to the Wikipedia page on Marriage in Israel.
Should I come out to my Aliyah advisor?
This is completely your decision. If you are not comfortable disclosing your sexuality to your Aliyah advisor, you don’t need to.
However, your adviser’s role is to provide you with information and advice on where to live, how to find work and to help you find your community, so the more you are willing to share with them, the better their better advice will be.
Please note that there is no institutionalized homophobia at Nefesh B’Nefesh or the Jewish Agency and you will be treated with respect whether or not you choose to disclose.
Is Israel a safe place for LGBTQ+ people?
Very much so. While we won’t pretend that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia don’t exist in Israel, there is a very good level of acceptance and tolerance in Israeli society and levels of violence against LGBTQ+ people are significantly lower than in other countries.
What's the LGBT Rights situation in Israel?
On the whole, things are good, but there’s room for improvement. Homosexuality has been legal in Israel since 1988 and we are protected in law in many ways, but there are still inequalities relating to surrogacy and adoption and there is no civil marriage.
More information can be found here.
In 2020, Israel was rated at position 27 in the World Index of Moral Freedom.
I am HIV+. Can I make aliyah?
Yes. Many HIV+ people have successfully made Aliyah and this has never been a reason for an Aliyah application to be refused. Our advice, as with any medical condition, is to bring three months of medication with you to cover you when you first arrive. For more information, you can contact the Israeli AIDS Taskforce.
I am trans. Could this affect my Aliyah?
No. The Law of Return doesn’t discriminate against the LGBTQ community in any way.
On arrival in Israel, your Israeli ID card (Teudat Zehut) and passport will have a gender marker that matches your foreign passport.
If you need to change your gender marker post-aliyah, there are processes in place enabling you to do so. For more information, we recommend that you contact Israel’s trans organization, Ma’avarim.
Is HRT (hormone replacement therapy) available?
HRT is available through the healthcare providers (or Kupat Cholim). For more information, see our Health Services page.
LGBTQ+ Aliyah Q&A Panel - "Coming Out, Coming Home"
At the end of 2016, LGBT Olim invited representatives from the Jewish Agency, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Telfed, the Israeli Absorption Ministry and The Aguda’s legal department to answer Aliyah-related questions from an LGBTQ+ perspective.
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