The United States Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday which
annulled a law which defines marriage as an alliance between a man and woman
was a joyous occasion not only for the millions of gays in the US, but also for
some in Israel.
Avi, a duel citizen of Israel and the United States, married
his boyfriend two years ago in New York but the two were forced to return to
Israel since Avi's spouse was not eligible for citizen's rights, despite their
marriage.
But Wednesday's ruling may change their situation
completely.
"After we were married we received a very nice
certificate from New York's City Hall, but it was worth nothing," Avi
said. "I really wanted to leave all the mess here in Israel, even though I
did very well for myself here, but it always bothered us that my spouse didn't
have an American citizenship.
"Until today, if he arrived in the US, he had no
rights. He was a second-class citizen. So we decided to wait and see what
happens. And now the US made a far-reaching move. There's no need for tricks
anymore."
By a 5-4 majority, the Supreme Court invalidated a provision
of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that restricted same-sex couples
who were married in states which allow same-sex marriages from enjoying the
same benefits as heterosexual ones.
Though the new ruling does not force the various states to
allow same-sex marriage, it does solve the conflict between the states which do
allow it and the federal authorities.
Currently, Avi and his partner plan to move to the US and
raise a child. "I've gotten tired of Israel, from how people behave and
the authorities which abuse people who are just trying to lead normal
lives," Avi said.
"All this religion stuff. Why should Bnei Brak care
what happens in Tel Aviv? That's what the US Supreme Court said: We'll let you
live your lives, just as your parents lived theirs."
"It's only love"
Gil Diamant married his partner two years ago in Tel Aviv,
but naturally, their marriage was not granted the same status as a heterosexual
marriage by the State. Therefore, last October they were married and registered
in New York.
"We're registered as married in the Israeli Interior
Ministry, but we don't have all the rights due to religious laws," Diamant
said.
His spouse, Elad David, is an American citizen, and the new
ruling made them reconsider immigrating to the US.
"We're discussing it," Diamant said. "As an
academic and a biologist, I'm happy it will enable me to get citizenship and
further my career. We may even run our lives on the Israel-US line. His family
is there, and it will make it easier for us."
Diamant was glad about the ruling, which he called an
"obvious victory," and added: "As an atheist, I'm overjoyed. The
attempts to restrict same-sex couples from marrying are derived from a
conservative, religious viewpoint.
"Letting everyone get married is a victory for
commonsense over religious traditions which we are unable to shed.
"What are people afraid of? It's only love."
Gay dual-citizens are not the only ones who feel the ruling
may change their lives, and even same-sex couples who plan to remain in Israel
are examining how the ruling may ease their difficulties with State
bureaucracy.
"We're still not sure whether the US ruling will have
any influence over our situation if we continue to live in Israel," said
Rotem Shannon-Haverfeld, who married his partner in New York two months after
the state allowed same-sex marriages.
"Really, we expect that the State will find it
difficult not to respect a marriage that was conducted in the US. Maybe it will
make it easier to raise a child, or maybe even in the simpler issues, like
mortgages or job applications, I will not have register as a bachelor even
though I'm not."
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