Last week week, Naftali Bennett expressed support for civil marriage in Israel, stating that “every person in Israel should be able to realize their love in this country and not travel abroad.” 

For an Orthodox political leader – and a prime ministerial candidate – to say this publicly is a breath of fresh air, as it reflects a recognition that has long been absent from the public discourse.

It is also an opportunity to confront a deeper inconsistency in Israel’s legal framework for marriage.

Civil Marriage Already Exists in Function, Just Not Form

In practice, the State of Israel already recognizes civil marriage. Israeli couples routinely travel abroad to marry, and in the last few years, many have made use of the Utah online marriage platform, completing legally recognized civil marriages without leaving their homes. These marriages are fully acknowledged by Israeli authorities.

The result is a system that does not prohibit civil marriage in substance, but only in form. It requires Israelis to circumvent their own country and nation in order to exercise a basic personal right. In practice, the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)