{"id":116092,"date":"2021-06-09T02:29:33","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T02:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=116092"},"modified":"2021-06-09T02:29:33","modified_gmt":"2021-06-09T02:29:33","slug":"fact-check-israel-recognizes-same-sex-marriages-performed-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/business\/fact-check-israel-recognizes-same-sex-marriages-performed-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Fact check: Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"

The claim: Israel is the only country in the Middle East to recognize same-sex marriage<\/h2>\n

As Americans celebrate the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights during Pride month, a misleading claim about gay rights in Israel is circulating online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWould like to extend a big thank you to all the countries in the Middle East that support gay marriage,\u201d reads a June 2 tweet with an image that claims Israel is the only country in the region to recognize same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n

That claim has spread in different forms on Instagram.<\/p>\n

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However, this claim about LGBTQ+ rights in the Middle East is somewhat misleading. While Israel is unique among its neighbors in recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other countries, same-sex couples cannot legally marry in Israel.<\/p>\n

USA TODAY reached out to several posters for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Same-sex marriage is\u00a0illegal in Israel<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Participants wave banners and LGBTQ rainbow flags during the annual Pride parade, as Israel lifted COVID-19 restrictions, in Jerusalem on June 3, 2021.  (Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND, AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Israeli consulate in Los Angeles says same-sex couples cannot enter into a civil marriage domestically.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the absence of civil marriage in Israel, the Israeli Supreme Court recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad,\u201d it states.<\/p>\n

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According to the consulate, Israel has recognized same-sex marriages performed abroad since 2006.\u00a0However, leaders have not approved\u00a0domestic legalization. Israel\u2019s Knesset legislative assembly voted against a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in 2018, the Council on Foreign Relations reported in a backgrounder\u00a0updated June 23, 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most Middle East countries do not recognize gay marriage at all<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

A woman holds balloons as she participates in the first Gay Pride Parade in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 22, 2017. (Photo: Ariel Schalit, AP)<\/span><\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s recognition of same-sex marriages performed abroad distinguishes it from other countries in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Britannica, the Middle East\u00a0describes 20\u00a0states and territories:\u00a0<\/strong>Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

Same-sex marriage was legal in 29 countries as of June 2021 according to The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s website. The HRC monitors marriage equality efforts across the globe. None of those countries were\u00a0located in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Participants take part in the annual Gay Pride parade in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, on June 9, 2017. (Photo: JACK GUEZ, AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared to other Middle Eastern countries, Israel does afford LGBTQ+ people more benefits and rights. The consulate in Los Angeles says\u00a0benefits include the right to adopt, the right to social security, and protection from discrimination from employers and the ability to serve\u00a0openly and equally in the\u00a0military.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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That’s a contrast with the treatment LGBTQ+ people face elsewhere in the region.\u00a0In some countries, LGBTQ+ people face danger and imprisonment according to The Council on Foreign Relation’s backgrounder. And same-sex sexual relations are punishable by death in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.<\/p>\n

Our rating: Missing context<\/h2>\n

The claim that Israel is the only country in the Middle East to recognize same-sex marriage is MISSING CONTEXT, because\u00a0without additional information it could be misleading. It is true that Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad and affords same-sex couples many rights other neighboring countries do not. However, Israel does not allow same-sex\u00a0couples to marry domestically.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our fact-check sources:<\/h2>\n