Israel's 'pinkest' embassy in Paris

Foreign Ministry proud to present 10 couples of gay, lesbian diplomats recognized as married

Itamar Eichner|Published: 09.07.06 , 11:40

Foreign Ministry officials have nicknamed the Israeli Embassy in Paris "the pink embassy," the reason being that the partners of two of the emissaries working there are recognized by the Foreign Ministry as a married same-sex couple.

These two are not the only ones. The Foreign Ministry recognizes about 10 couples of diplomats who live with their partner of the same sex as married.

This means they are granted the same rights as heterosexuals – a diplomatic passport, medical insurance, vacation in the country, allocation of funds for an apartment for a couple instead of for singles, the right to work for overseas delegations and the same salary benefits that are granted to married couples.

There are about a few dozen other gay couples working for the office. However, they have not yet asked the ministry to recognize their partners. Should they ask for recognition, they will have to fit a certain criteria: Proof that they share their lives, a shared bank account, a shared address, custody of children from both sides, and more.

Four of the gay diplomats that the foreign ministry recognizes also serve overseas. The rest are stationed in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

"Here, there is no discrimination. From the moment we see that the conditions for recognition are met, the couple receives all the benefits," explained sources in the ministry.

Danish ambassador: Israeli society is very open

The Israeli Foreign Ministry is considered one of the most developed ministries in the world in terms of its attitude towards diplomats who are recognized as gays and lesbians. Even the United States and France, which are considered extremely advanced, do not recognize such partners of diplomats.

The Foreign Ministry receives many demands by American and French diplomats to be granted a visa as diplomats who are same-sex couples, even though their country of origin has not recognized them.

Danish Ambassador to Israel Carsten Damsgaard arrived in Israel with his partner to whom he is legally married for 15 years.

"According to Danish law, one can get married to a person of the same-sex, and through this marriage he can receive the same rights and obligations as in a heterosexual marriage," said Damsgaard. "I really appreciate the openness of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. If I judge by the way we were received over here, and we've been here for three years, I can say that Israeli society is very open."