if this brings peace to the region, then let these weddings continue.

Hopefully, civil marriage would be allowed in Israel too in a few years - as it is in any other Western country. Whoever said getting married must include the Rabbinate's kosher stamp? Enough with religious tyranny.

How about get all those people together and get married in front of the Knesset and protest for your right to mary who ever you want in your own country. Israelis having to wed outside the country is a national shame.

Sounds like the weddings from hell.

This is a very visible to the world protest against the inaction for over sixty years by the Knesset. Also, it is a manifestation that religion and State politics should not mix and religious parties should never be part of the government coalition. People vote with their feet, with their wallets, with their hearts. In Israel there is no heart in politics, no consideration by the government of what people want. A reform is terribly overdue and it should include separation of State and religion.

He married tens of thousands... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/14/rev-moon-performs-largest_n_320295.html

Marriage is as holy in any country. Gongratulations to the newly wed !

cyprus

Israel a country that calls its self "Democratic" still forces religious marriage ceremonies on secular people, these people are forced to marry in Cyprus and abroad because of the power of the religious. About time people were given a choice and ended the religious corecion. Dont mind sending them to die for their country, serving in the IDF yet when they want to marry they are forced abroad. You can not and will not force religious laws on seculars who do not share your religious beliefs.

If it weren't for certain religious practices, Israel would be like the tower of Babel. Its the religious "tyrants" who hold the Jewish people together, not the self hating progressive secularists like you. And a lot of them contribute to the country and serve in the IDF. Bnei Brak is not the paragon of religious life. Civil unions among Jews is problematic because such marriages are not halachically valid. Look it up if you don't believe me. Such marriages are not recognized by Jewish law. These marriages can create all sorts of problems, especially if the couple doesn't keep Taharat Mishpacha. Whatever children they have will share the same status as a mamzer. A Ben-Niddah is not much different.Plus marrying out of your faith is strictly prohibited - end of discussion. If you want to marry for love, its not too difficult to find someone from within.Having a traditional Orthodox Jewish ceremony is not to hard to arrange so there are no excuses.You can have one abroad since that's supposedly easier than having one in Israel.

It's not pleasant that there are many people who cannot marry in Israel, but if civil marriages are allowed, it will eventually bring the end of the Jewish State and also the Jewish People.

With all due respect Sara the whole point of the issue is that secular people who do not belive in religious laws can marry. People should have a choice and not be dictated to. So quoting religious laws is irrelvant here. Did these people declare they live by Jewish religious laws? I can assure you they do not. Israel is the only democracy in the middle east we have a civil system of law here not religious law. If you choose to live a religios life style, fine enjoy but do not force it on others who do not share your beliefs.

Is the Jewish state and religion that fragile that people opting for a civil ceremony will destroy it, come on you know that is ridiculous. What will have a more "damaging" and destroy jewdism will be fanatical rabbis and their followers, just today we hear of a rabbi sactioning stoning a defensless dog to death as he belives its the soul of some one bad.

oh not forgetting the dog, thanks but we are very much a family and dont need the approval of the rabbinute or you for that matter.

think Israel would be able to handle those of her citizens who wish to have civil marriages. The nation cant mandate who you wish to love. In fact the nation or state has no business in the bedroom of the nation. The state also has no business promoting any one lifestyle as well. A City in Israel should not be sponsoring gay pride parades. Allow civil marriages as this is clearly a legal document. The Jews are tougher than you may think and to those who fear civil marriage, we Jews will overcome this as well.

if it is as easy as you are saying- why are they forced to go abroard? Don't you think they would rather stay in Israel with the families? Ask your orthodox, extreme thinking Rabbis.