Same-Sex Marriage in Israel: Quotes From Heated Debate

The debate over same-sex marriage is heating up around the world. While Ireland recently legalized gay marriage, Israel’s stance against same-sex marriage continues to stir up controversy among politicians.

Here are five quotes spoken by various members of Israel’s government on the topic of same-sex marriage.

1. "Even a person who is a homosexual is a human being, and he has rights. We have no power to take away (their) rights. We cannot take away someone's rights because they are different. We cannot take away their right to breathe, right to eat or right to start a family. We must allow everyone to live as is natural to them."
— Shimon Peres, past Israeli President, in a state visit to Mexico while still in office in 2013 as reported by Ynetnews

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2. “I believe every person has a right to his sexual preferences. Homosexuality is not a perversion, and everyone has the right to a relationship with whoever they want.”
— Reuven Rivlin, past Knesset speaker and current president, at a gay pride conference at Knesset in 2012, as reported by The Jerusalem Post

3. “In almost every major speech he’s given overseas in the last few years, he has used the LGTB community in Israel as a means to attack Iran. For that purpose we’re okay, showcasing Israel as a liberal paradise. I ask the prime minister what he has done to address the issue here. The truth is that for the last five years, during which he has headed the government, any advancement of the gay community toward full and equal legal rights has been frozen.”
— Nitzan Horowitz, past Knesset law maker, said at Knesset in 2013, according to Haaretz

4. “These are two clashing values. I am for 'live and let live,' but this clashes with the values of Israel as a Jewish state. It has a set of family values. The state cannot absorb or contain official recognition of same-sex marriage.”
— Naftali Bennett, past Habayit Hayehudi Party Chairmen, to an audience of students in 2012, according to Haaretz

5. “We should allow members of the community to conduct family life, including marriage. It's every person's human right, without regard to race, sex, or sexual orientation.”
— Moshe Yaalon, Defense Minister, said at a LGBT elections panel in February, according to Haaretz

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