LGBT Rights
in Israel
Israel is a great place to be LGBTQ+, however some of the details are complicated and there remains room for improvement.
Here, we explain the current situation and will endeavor to update whenever necessary.
Legality
Despite inheriting homophobic laws from the Ottoman Empire and the British Mandate, laws outlawing gay sex were removed in 1988 and hadn’t been enforced since 1963. Israel has never had a ban on lesbian sex.
Transgender Rights
Since 2015, the Israeli Health Ministry has allowed transgender people to change the ID card gender marker without undergoing surgery. For procedural details, see Nefesh B’Nefesh’s website.
Employment
Employment discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation has been illegal since 1992. Also, a Supreme Court ruling in 1994 determined that same-sex couples are equal to heterosexual couples in terms of employment-related spousal benefits.
Marriage Rights
Marriage in Israel is controlled by a religious authority for each of the 13 recognised religions and religious dominations. There is no civil marriage in Israel and none of the religious authorities perform weddings for same-sex couples. In fact, many straight couples are affected by the lack of civil marriage if they do not fulfil the strict requirements of the appropriate religious authority. More information on Wikipedia.
Marriages performed overseas
Marriages performed overseas, both same-sex and heterosexual, are recognized in Israel, once they have been registered with the Interior Ministry (Misrad Hapnim). Overseas same-sex and heterosexual marriages registered in Israel are considered equal for tax, real estate and financial purposes, but the official religious authorities do not recognize them.
Civil unions and partnerships registered overseas are not considered as equal to marriage and as such cannot be registered in Israel.
For details on how to register an overseas marriage, please check the Nefesh B’Nefesh website.
In June 2020, the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa announced that it would allow unmarried same-sex partners and couples registered overseas in civil unions to register with City Hall. They will then receive the same services and discounts as couples married in Israel. Reported in Israel Hayom, I24news and Pink News.
Adoption
Same-sex partners have been able to adopt each other’s biological children since a 2005 Supreme Court ruling. Another court ruling in 2008 allowed same-sex couples to adopt children that are not related to either parent, however the situation is still very complicated and only a very small number of same-sex couples have been able to adopt children. More information is available on Nefesh B’Nefesh’s website.
Surrogacy
In January 2022, Israel’s domestic surrogacy laws were updated and no longer discriminate against same-sex couples, so straight couples, same-sex couples and single people are legally able to enter surrogacy agreements with a surrogate mother.
More information regarding surrogacy and these legal changes can be found on the Israeli government website.
Military
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people can openly serve in all branches of the Israeli military. In addition to this, same-sex partners are treated equally to opposite-sex partners in terms of benefits, pensions etc.
Blood donations
There have been no restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood since January 2018.
Useful references
Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in Israel
Nefesh B’Nefesh: LGBTQ and Same-Sex Couple in Israel
Keshet UK: Life for LGBT people in Israel (PDF from 2013)
