Civil unions in Israel

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Same-sex civil unions

Recognized nationwide in:

Denmark (1989) | Norway (1993)

Israel1 (1994) | Sweden (1995)

Greenland (1996) | Hungary1 (1996)

Iceland (1996) | France (1999)

Germany (2001) | Portugal (2001)

Finland (2002) | Croatia1 (2003)

Luxembourg (2004) | New Zealand (2005)

United Kingdom (2005) | Andorra (2005)

Czech Republic1 (2006) | Slovenia (2006)

Switzerland (2007) | Uruguay (2007)

Was recognized before legalization of same-sex marriage in:

Netherlands (nationwide) (1998)

Spain (12 of 14 communities) (1998)

South Africa (1999)

Belgium (nationwide) (2000)

Canada (QC, NS and MB)2 (2000)

Recognized in some regions in:

United States (6 states) (1997)

Argentina (Buenos Aires, Rio Negro) (2003)

Australia (Tasmania, ACT) (2004)

Italy (Some municipallies) (2004)

Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) (2004)

Mexico (Mexico City) (2006)

Recognition debated in:

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Liechtenstein

Mexico (Coahuila)

Mexico (Colima)

Poland

United States

Notes:

1 - In form of common-law marriage.

2 - Explicitly referred to as "civil unions" in Quebec (2002), and called "domestic partnership" in Nova Scotia (2001). In Manitoba (2002), common-law marriage extended to same-sex partners nationwide (2000).

See also

Same-sex marriage

Registered partnership

Domestic partnership

Common-law marriage

Marriage, unions and partnerships by country

Homosexuality laws of the world

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Israel has granted unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples since 1994, in the form of common law marriage, a status that until then was only extended to opposite couples. Following lawsuits, same-sex couples enjoy several spousal benefits (1994 –1996) and the right of same-sex partners of civil service employees to survivor benefits (1998).

Insurance companies recognise same-sex partners in regard to deceased's ensured employment compensation benefits to surviving partner (1999). Pension rights of the same sex partner of the deceased are recognised (2000), non-biological parents can register guardianship of their partner's child (2001); a January, 2005 supreme court ruling has made it possible for a partner to legally adopt a same-sex partner's biological child, and still courts grant more and more rights for same-sex couples.

The State of Israel allows foreign partners of its homosexual citizenry to receive residency permits. The Civil Service Commission extends spousal benefits and pensions to the partners of homosexual employees. The Israeli State Attorney's Office has extended the spousal exemption from property-transfer taxes to same-sex couples. Israel's attorney general has granted legal recognition to same-sex couples in financial and other business matters. Attorney General Meni Mazuz said the couples will be treated the same as common-law spouses, recognizing them as legal units for tax, real estate, and financial purposes. Mazuz made his decision by refusing to appeal a district court ruling in an inheritance case that recognized the legality of a same-sex union, his office said in a statement. Mazuz did differentiate, however, between recognizing same-sex unions for financial and practical purposes, as he did, and changing the law to officially sanction the unions, which would be a matter for parliament, according to the statement.

The city of Tel Aviv recognizes unmarried couples, including gays and lesbians, as family units and grants them discounts for municipal services. Under the bylaw, unmarried couples qualify for the same discounts on day care and the use of swimming pools, sports facilities, and other city-sponsored activities that married couples enjoy.

The Israeli government is considering whether to recognise full civil unions.

[edit] See also

• Gay rights in Israel
• Gay rights by country
• Homosexuality laws of the world