Israeli Chief Justice Criticizes Lack Of Civil Marriage Option

The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday that Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak has told a visiting delegation of American Conservative Jews that "The lack of civil marriage in Israel is a major violation of human rights." Barak was referring to the fact that under Israeli law, marriages are performed only by various religious authorities, and Jewish marriages are controlled by the Orthodox rabbinate. Marriages between members of different religions are not recognized. Irit Rosenblum, head of an organization called New Family, says his group plans to ask Israel's High Court to order the Interior Ministry to register any Israeli couple married in a civil ceremony.