Homophobia in Israel

Despite Israel’s progressiveness, life for LGBT people can still be difficult in the State of Israel. Homophobic attitudes prevail in some traditional communities of all religions and cultures. The religious Orthodox Jewish community in West Jerusalem tried to put a stop to the 2005 Pride parade. When Pride went ahead, a religious Orthodox Jewish man stabbed three participants. He was later convicted and given a 12-year prison sentence. The established religious authorities in Israel are generally conservative in their attitudes towards LGBT people. However, traditional and progressive Jewish alternatives have proliferated. There are now religious Jewish LGBT groups around Israel, and even LGBT synagogue services in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. The leader of one prominent Orthodox Jewish LGBT group is Rabbi Ron Yosef, who came out as gay in 2009. Violence against LGBT people is generally rare, but still occurs. A central Tel Aviv centre for young LGBT people was targeted in 2009 and two people were shot dead in an apparent hate crime. Although polls suggest a majority of Israelis support same-sex marriage, same-sex couples are still unable to marry in Israel, and have to go abroad to do so. Non-Israeli citizens can live in Israel with their same sex partners as permanent residents, but do not automatically receive citizenship. And although same-sex couples can adopt and receive fertility treatment, it can be difficult for their children to be recognised as legitimate by official religious bodies.