- What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?
Written by on 23/04/2023
Since its establishment in 2009, Hiddush has published a unique annual report called the "Religion and State Index", which is based on a comprehensive survey and a large representative sample of the adult Jewish public in Israel. Its findings, which are published every year just before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year [you can find the 2022 index report here], have been demonstrating for years that the politicians' cynical statements about the public's support for the "status quo" on matters of religion and state (and especially the false declarations by the speakers of the current coalition that the results of the last elections prove the public's preference for a traditional and religious country ) are completely baseless. A large and consistent majority expresses support for the principle of freedom of religion and conscience guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence and its opposition to every element of religious coercion and excess privileges granted to the ultra-Orthodox sector.
- We Have Never Been So Close to Civil Marriage
Written by on 23/04/2023
At the beginning of March 2023, the Supreme Court accepted Hiddush’s arguments and dismissed the State's appeal against the ruling of the Jerusalem Administrative Court on the issue of "Utah marriages". The Jerusalem Administrative court ruled in favor of the petition filed by Hiddush and ordered that the Population Authority and the Ministry of the Interior are obligated to register as married any couple who marry through the “Utah online marriage". The ruling of the Supreme Court concludes the legal part of Hiddush’s two-year battle against the Minister of the Interior and the Population Authority and enables thousands of couples to marry in a civil marriage without having to leave Israel. Unfortunately (and shamefully) civil marriage and divorce in Israel are still a distant reality, but the ruling of the Supreme Court constitutes a breakthrough in the struggle for freedom of marriage. You can read more about the ruling of the Supreme Court here.
- Between Freedom and Independence
Written by on 23/04/2023
We have just concluded the celebration of Passover, the Festival of Freedom, and next week we will celebrate Israeli Independence Day. Both holidays have an added special meaning this year. The festival of freedom reminds us that freedom is not granted without a struggle, and Independence Day heightens our awareness that independence gained by blood 75 years ago is likewise not to be taken for granted nor guaranteed forever.
- What Matters Now to religion and state activist Uri Regev: Averting a theocracy
Written by on 26/03/2023
The Israeli lawyer/Reform rabbi explains how the judicial overhaul package may affect religious freedom – and the lack thereof – in the Holy Land
- Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/03/israelis-zoom-utah-search-civil-marriage#ixzz7x3opAfr0
Written by on 26/03/2023
Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah.
- Why a county in Utah could play a role in Israel’s judicial crisis
Written by on 26/03/2023
Aaron Davidson has never been to Israel. He isn’t Jewish. He began serving in his position, Utah County clerk, just two months ago.
- Court approval of ‘Utah Zoom’ weddings adds to debate over judicial reform
Written by on 26/03/2023
The Israeli Supreme Court ruling comes after a lengthy legal battle over civil marriage.
- High Court rules in favor of Zoom weddings, all but legalizing civil marriage in Israel
Written by on 26/03/2023
Justices rejects state's appeal against civil marriages performed online through the US state of Utah, which became popular in 2020 during the pandemic. Decision draws both praise and criticism, with opponents saying it will "erase the Jewish identity of the state."
- Abraham, not Smotrich, should be Israel's Jewish role model - opinion
Written by on 26/03/2023
Smotrich wants us to believe that he represents the authentic model for Judaism. is no model more abhorrent and further from the desired spirit of Judaism.
- High Court Orders Israel to Recognize Thousands of 'Zoom' Marriages
Written by on 26/03/2023
In a decision that will allow thousands of people currently barred from marrying in Israel to do so, the Supreme Court has ruled that couples who marry in an online civil ceremony must be registered as married in the Population Registry.
- Supreme Court allows civil marriage in Israel via Zoom
Written by on 26/03/2023
The ruling instructs the registrar of the Population Registry to record marriages conducted in a ceremony in Utah while the Israeli couples were physically in Israel.
- Israel must recognize online marriages conducted via Utah, Supreme Court rules
Written by on 26/03/2023
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Interior Ministry is obligated to register as married couples who wed in online civil ceremonies through the American state of Utah, in a ruling which is certain to further increase the government’s ire toward the court.
- Israel's High Court de facto recognizes online civil marriages
Written by on 26/03/2023
The Supreme Court ruled against the state's appeal of online civil marriages conducted remotely through Utah.
- Abraham Should Be Our Jewish Role Model, Not Smotrich
Written by on 15/03/2023
Smotrich wants us to believe that he represents the authentic model for Judaism. is no model more abhorrent and further from the desired spirit of Judaism.
- Utah Online Marriages
Written by on 15/03/2023
Israel’s Supreme Court rejected the state's appeal regarding "Utah Online Marriages". The Population Authority is obligated to register as married all couples who wed in this manner.