Mazal Tov!
Photo: Sigalit Farkol
Consular marriage in Israel approved
Decision recognizes marriages performed at foreign consulates in Israel, provided neither partner belongs to a recognized religious community in country, and one or both of them are nationals of the country of the consulate in question
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in consultation with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, has decided to resume consular marriages for Israeli residents provided that at least one of them has foreign nationality.
The decision, which recognizes marriages performed at foreign consulates, will apply when neither partner belongs to a recognized religious community in Israel, and one or both of them are nationals of the country of the consulate in question.
Consular marriages were customary during the British Mandate. A 1995 decision disallowed such marriages for Israeli citizens. Sunday’s decision provides for the resumption of such marriages and thus expands the right of marriage in Israel.
However, some believe that the new decision will do nothing to change the problematic issue of marriage in the country. Irit Rosenblum, director-general of the New Family organization, said that "the prime minister's decision on consular marriages is misleading… it has devastating implications for 250,000 people in Israel."
Rosenblum explained that the decision does not provide a solution for the hundreds of thousands of people who do not meet the requirements of the new resolution, and forces them to marry in other countries.
