Knesset Committee Paves the Way for Civil Unions
A Knesset committee has made it possible for a civil unions law to be implemented in Israel.
The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on Wednesday approved a registration fee of about $165 for couples to obtain a civil marriage.
The law, passed in March and set to be implemented next week, will allow non-Jewish Israelis or those without a religious denomination to be recognized as married.
The law will allow thousands of Israelis who previously had to travel abroad to marry to do so legally in Israel. Lawmaker David Rotem of the Israel Beiteinu party, initiator of the legislation, said he will now try to broaden the law to allow all Israelis, including Jews, to be married civilly.
About 60,000 people in Israel are considered to be of no denomination, according to Ynet.
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