Knesset votes against civil marriage Bill

The Knesset plenum on Wednesday once again rejected the civil marriage Bill, which was this time submitted by Kadima. The members of the Yisrael Beiteinu faction, which has put civil marriage at the forefront of its election campaign several months ago, either opposed the bill or were absent from the vote.

A total of 38 MKs voted in favor of the bill and 63 opposed.

The bill sought to allow couples who are citizens of the State to enter into a legally binding agreement that, while it does not constitute marriage according to religious law, bears with it the duties and privileges associated with marriage.

Yisrael Beiteinu said in response: "Contrary to Kadima, which only deals with public relations and which, while it was the ruling party, did nothing to promote civil marriage and even voted against it, the Yisrael Beiteinu faction has cemented the bill in the coalition agreement in order to promote it and have it approved by the Knesset.

"Tzipi Livni's voice is heard loud and clear when she's in the opposition, while she becomes mute when she's part of the government."

At the beginning of the week the Ministerial Committee on Legislation rejected the bill, proposed by MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima), in the absence of Yisrael Beiteinu's ministers.

Following Sunday's vote Molla told Ynet, "Yisrael Beiteinu's true face has finally been exposed. The party's representatives have been revealed as opportunists who betray their voters the first chance they get."