Rabbis issue joint letter backing gay adoption ban
Prominent rabbis affiliated with Religious Zionism publish letter backing Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked and calling for the state to uphold the position that same-sex adoption harms children.
Senior rabbis call on Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked not to change the state's position according to which gay and lesbian couples should not be allowed to adopt children.
In an open letter to Shaked, the rabbis wrote, "We wish to lend our support to Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked on her preservation of the values of Israel and her steadfast position to preserve the traditional, ethical basic family structure, befitting a representative of the religious-Zionist party in the Knesset."
Owing to the sensitivity of the issue among the religious public, the rabbis abstained from referring to it overtly, instead opting to hint at it.
"Our holy Torah is a moral lighthouse and compass to both the people of Israel and the entire world," they write. "It is therefore becoming that the State of Israel remains vigilant to strengthen family values and preserve a public space respecting the values of human morality and Judaism. We wish to commend all public representatives who follow this path."
Dozens of rabbis signed the letter backing up Shakred. Among some of the more prominent ones are Rabbi Haim Drukman and Rabbi Dov Lior, leaders and "elders" of religious Zionism, Tzfat's Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and Shomron Regional Council Chief Rabbi Elyakim Levanon. Additionally, head of the Bnei David pre-IDF preparatory yeshiva Rabbi Eli Sadan and many other rabbis from settlements and communities, joined the chorus.
In an interview with Army Radio, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu said, "We're turning into LGBT-stan. Homosexuality is an illness necessitating treatment, the LGBT community is terrorizing the entire system and the existence of people with same-sex tendencies is close to zero."
Going against the idea of an LGBT identity in general and the idea of gay families in particular, Rabbi Eliyahu said, "Using the word 'sick' is putting it mildly. It's something that requires attention and treatment. Statistics show that this kind of families last a lot less."
"People with homosexual tendencies"
Eliyahu continued with comments many regarded as inciting and homophobic, referring to the LGBT community as "a handful that may have an echo in the media, but do not represent the public," he argued, while calling for people to listen to the "healthy majority" stance against adoption.
"Those with homosexual tendencies do not pass the threshold. They make a lot of noise, but their existence is minimal. A child is entitled to two healthy parents. To do something artificial like have two mothers, or two fathers is just hurting the child. A child needs a male father and a female mother."
Predictably, these remarks aroused harsh criticism from public figures.
MK Mickey Rosenthal (Zionist Union) published a picture of Eliyahu dressed a drag queen in pink, while MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union), an openly gay politician, said, "The only sick person here is the rabbi. The only person creating terror is the rabbi and his friends—those who call not to rent apartments to Arabs and were questioned on suspicion of incitement, it's him, not me."
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid, said, "The rabbis' letter on the adoption rights of the gay community is a call for civil war and a distorted interpretation of 'love thy neighbor.'"
MK Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) added, "Again we are forced to hear dangerous nonsense and incitement from a rabbi who receives his salary from the State of Israel, which despite his efforts, is still a state that advocates democracy and equality of rights.
"Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu claims that the LGBT community is a type of illness, but in 2017 the only disease I recognize is ignorance. I call on him to immediately resign his position and public status. Basic decency requires this, especially since his salary comes from tax paying members of the public, including members of the gay community."
