...this is a choice that each family should make themselves and not a government prerogative. This is just a useless divisive liberal issue.

What`s the difference beween a 17 y.o. and 18 y.o. ? When an adult becomes an adult ? Mentally ? Sexually? Economically? Statistically? Religiously ? If the European criteria was set at 18, many years ago, is it still different today from an 17 yo ? Why Meretz needed this decision? What`s really bothering Meretz? That Meretzniks marry at 25-28 or that Haredim marry at 17?

Even your brethren Haneen supported this bill. I know that in jericho you live in middle age, but israel is a modern country, even (incredibly) in its israeli arab section. So, please, think for yourself. Ah, and that isn't a family, but an individual matter.

Whats the difference between 17 andn 18 ? Well thats abit like saying a 40 year old man can have sex with a 15 year old. Surely even someone with your intelligence level can understand that. Forcing minors in to marriage is nothing short of child abuse, how nobel of you to come out and support that.

Most states allow younger marriages as long as the parents approve (but not always) and sometimes with a judge signing off (to make sure the girl is consenting of her own free will). The real reason behind the law is that the Israeli ruling glass hates hareidim and Arabs, and they perceive this as a way to support their bigotted agenda - it has nothing to do with women's rights.

You are depriving girls and boys from 5 years of love and fruition. Indeed destructive, cruel and plain simply mean.

Instead of the absurd classes held before you are allowed to get married, there should be a course in economics and it should be explained that the economic entity that is responsible for financing children is called their parents. The age should be raised to 29, with an exception for couples where the man has served for three years in the army and has worked/ studied at university for two years or alternatively worked for 6 years.

If this law is a veiled attempt to save Jewish girls from marrying the sons of Edom, then it is better to wage war and drive them off our land once and for all.

(off new york state department of health website): •If either applicant is under 14 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued. •If either applicant is 14 or 15 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents and a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the Family Court having jurisdiction over the town or city in which the application is made. •If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents. •If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, no consents are required.

all of the 50 united states except nebraska as well as canada and a slew of european countries allow marriages at 16 with parental consent (15 with court permission). clearly this legislation is designed to attack haredim and for no other purpose. (betcha bottom dollar its not going to be enforced when it comes to the arabs)

Even without parental consent? Hmmm.

Some girls, particularly ones who are less academically inclined, want nothing more than to get married early and start a family. While for others it may seem to young, these girls are emotionally and physically ready for marriage, and it's a shame to make them wait, especially in the religious and arab societies where they are not allowed physical contact prior to marriage.

Emotionally, a 18 years old is just a kid. The law should protect children and raise the bar to 21.

Many US states allow marriage of minors. Yes, with parental consent--but we all know how family pressure on a minor can be in some cultures. In New Hampsire, a 13 year old female can be legally married to a14 year old boy! In Scotland, 16 is the marriage age. 14 in tiny Vatican City. Please check your facts. Yet again an article that makes it sound like Asiatic Israel is below the standards and morality of the Great and Holy Western world, of which we are not a part. Israel's laws.

Is a sign of a clean society with demand and needs to exercise holiness and protect the minors - God bless the K and the government.

I don't think God is a pedophile. If he is, I don't wish to have anything to do with him!

It is not healthy for an underdeveloped body to carry a child. The physiological damage is for a lifetime. The psychological damage to the mother/child might even be more severe.

- a man is not Matured before the age of Thirty and a woman Twentyfive. Marriage should be a Lifelong commitment so, the Man and Woman should learn to know themselves Whom They are, and chose partner accordingly, before a such commitment. Arn.Sweden.

Permitted ages of marriage have remained constant from the days when the school leaving age was 14. Nowadays no person who has left formal education so young has a chance in life except at the lowest rungs of income level. In the past marrying young was primarily a means to start the reproductive cycle as fast as possible because you might die young. It is not about sexual maturity but being able to support a family emotionally and financially. Although young marriage is permitted how many do choose to use this right if there is no pressure? This is protection of young adults and their potential offspring. The right of parents to "dispose" of their children (daughters usually) is reminiscent of the age of Jane Austen (early 19th century) than a modern society.

According to his royal holliness MK Nisim Zeev the knesset clown " "If you want to fight something, fight the phenomenon of Arab men who date Jewish women" Well in the real world consulting adults above the age of 18 are free to make their own life choices, including who to fall in love with, who to marry. His intervention based on medevil religious beliefs and blatent rasiscm are not relevant . Now that the puppet master ( Ayatolla Ovadia Yusuf) has finnaly been laid to rest it seems HRH Nissim Zeev is even more confused than ever.

If one gets married on the bride's 18th birthday, that could be six months or more after the initial engagement, so we're talking about a 17 year old being engaged. Pirkei Avos says 16 is the age for marriage, but most Halachic authorities accept 20 to 25 as the right age for men to marry in our time.

'full understanding of the consequences of marriage'. You only fully understand the consequences of marriage when it's too late. You smash a glass and get a life sentence!

Why are woman second class citizens to Haredi men's minds? Why must marriageable age be low? I know why? Haredi men know that girls are naive and more likely to be virgins at 17 or less - rather than later. Even at 18, most girls are not mature enough to handle home and children, let alone a demanding husband.

Jewish girls should be better educated and encouraged NOT to even contemplate dating an Arab, let alone marry one. Any research on this situation will demonstrate the disastrous results of such marriages.

Knesset is much wiser than the Faraon who tried to reduce the natality of the Israelim during Moshe's time

It is not entirely clear what you mean. If you mean Swedish men reach biological maturity only at age 30, you should publish this in 'Nature', or 'Science'. If you mean intellectual-psychological maturity, then 'Stockholm, you've got a problem'. While I am against under-age marriage, demanding to delay it until what is actually 'early middle age' (30+) - individual decision are, of course voluntary, is ridiculous. You drafted until 2010 18 year olds into the army (and may still do so on war time). If they are old enough to risk their life for your welfare state, they are also old en