The Ministerial Legislating Committee has approved a civil
marriage bill proposed by Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman
that would provide legal recognition for non-Jewish couples
classified as having no religion.
The Justice Minister would appoint a judge to administer the
civil marriage registry for these couples once the request to
register for marriage is transferred to all recognized
botei din in the country to enable them to lodge
objections.
The proposed law would provide these couple all of the same
legal rights and obligations, except for rights and
obligations based on halacha.
Rabbi Uri Maklev, chairman of the Knesset Committee for
Public Inquiries, told Yated Ne'eman that the drafting
of the law leaves its aims and ramifications murky,
"Therefore in any event we'll have to look into the matter in
depth."
Rabbi Maklev also said, "The way it's drafted and the
character of the law have a significant impact since this is
a highly sensitive issue that affects core aspects of
Judaism, and every word of the draft is important. We will of
course ensure no law that contradicts halacha is approved, as
per the coalition agreement signed with the UTJ faction."
