State pledges to pass same-sex adoption amendment
During discussion on petition by LGBT groups calling for equal adoption rights for same-sex couples, state promises to pass memorandum to adoption law by mid-2018; High Court recommends withdrawal of petition pursuant to legislative process; 'We'll continue closely monitoring matter,' says petitioners' attorney.
A representative of the state pledged Sunday the government will issue a memorandum to the Adoption Law by mid-2018 providing equal treatment to same-sex couples.
The pledge was made in response to a petition to the High Court of Justice protesting adoption discrimination, which was submitted by LGBT families belonging to the Reform Center for Religion and State and the Gay Dads NGO.
The state's representative, attorney Yonatan Berman, stressed that Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked and Minister of Welfare Haim Katz were both committed to promoting this legislative process.
Pursuant to the state's obligation, the High Court justices recommended the petitioners to withdraw their petition. "In light of the change in the state's position that now allows same-sex couples to adopt, we're of the mind the petition has run its course," wrote incoming Chief Justice Esther Hayut.
In addition, the justices decreed the state will pay NIS 5,000 to the petitioners in legal expenses.
"The court recognized the revolution the petition has brought about regarding a fundamental change in Israel's adoption policy, and that starting now same-sex families are as worthy of adopting as any family," said attorney Ricki Shapira Rosenberg, representing the Reform Center.
"We'll continue to closely monitor legislation following this petition in order to ensure this wrong is righted, and quickly," she added.
This past July, the state notified the High Court it will not be permitting same-sex couples to adopt, claiming it would harm the children involved.
This position was exceedingly controversial, and immediately following it Katz notified he will ask the High Court for "a stay in order to reexamine the same-sex adoption issue, so professionals may look into the matter again and take all considerations into account."
The adoption issue aroused widespread public controversy and a wave of protests from public figures and social activists.
The Israeli Psychological Association also weighed in with its position on the state's assertions of possible harm coming to children adopted into same-sex families.
"The Association sees fit to note claims made by the state and Ministry of Welfare are contradicted by significant and rich findings gleaned from a multitude of studies, as well as cumulative and years' long experience of psychotherapy for both children and parents from a wide range of family types," the organization said.
"Raising children in LGBT families does not adversely affect mental health among children, nor does it harm their psychological or emotional development," the Psychology Associated stated. "This position is accepted by several of the world's psychological associations. Parenthood, it's widely agreed, is measured by the ability to provide unconditional love, emotional stability, discipline and security for the child. It is therefore necessary to continue examining the 'parental suitability' of those seeking adoption, emphasizing their personal characteristics and personality, and omitting any 'binding' reference to gender, sexual orientation and so on."
