'The whole concept of man and woman is irrelevant.' Meretz candidates meet gays
Photo: Ofer Amram
Meretz candidates meet gay community
Tzvia Greenfeld, Colonel Shaul Arieli, both contesting for spots on Meretz list for 17th Knesset, meet Tel Aviv gays at local nightclub, promise to fight discrimination, advance same-sex marriage
At Carpe Diem, one of the leading nightlife establishments of Tel Aviv's gay community, a sight unfolded which was not typical of the bustling nightlife – an ultra-Orthodox woman, and a Colonel in the reserve forces, discussing politics with those present, and the elections.
Tzvia Greenfeld and Colonel Shaul Arieli are both contesting for spots on the Meretz list for the 17th Knesset. They arrived for a meeting with proud members of the gay community.
Greenfeld, who is ultra-Orthodox, promised to do all "so that you receive all the rights you deserve as proud citizens in the State of Israel. It is the right of every person to receive his or her rights without any discrimination. I think that there is no need to advance the marriage bill without worrying about its effect on gays and lesbians. It's not possible."
She added that "the whole concept of man and woman is irrelevant , and it is nobody's business. It's an anthropological observation. I am for the inclusion of all couples having the right to unity. We'll do everything to prevent the government from interfering in our self-definition. That's not the role of government."
When asked by those present about her religious identity, Greenfeld answered with certainty: "I am a religious person, and I believe that at the heart of Judaism exists the Jewish value, that a person was created in the image of God – every person, and it does not matter if they are Jewish or non-Jewish. The Torah is a historic document that was right for its time.
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“I'm not throwing it away, in some of its aspects it suits, and other parts, I give it my personal interpretation. I spoke with religious people for 20 years. Now, I've decided to go out to the opposite public, so that I can return to my own public from a position of power."
Speaking about the unique problems faced by gays and lesbians in the religious and ultra-Orthodox society, Greenfeld said that "their situation is terrible. Youths in this society are in a position of terrible anxiety, it’s almost impossible to deal with. There is a phenomenon of a double life, identity crises, suicides, and more. From my place in synagogue, I can make sure that means of help and relief are offered for these youths, and that there be mediation between them and their families."
'There shouldn't be discrimination in the army'
Arieli, who has been commander of the northern division in Gaza, told those present of his intentions to take advantage of the meeting to get to know the community.
"All that I know about you is from friends and the media," he explained.
Addressing the topics of gays and lesbians in the army, Arieli said: "There is not supposed to be discrimination in the IDF on the basis of national or religious origin, or because of sexual background. There is no justification for such discrimination, and if there are cases of it, they are against military law.
“The role of commanders is to ensure this does not happen. The army has the ability to make sure it doesn't. Many of the commanders in the IDF are familiar with this, and fortunately soldiers are drafted at an age where they can be influenced and their attitudes shaped."
