By Avital Rutenburg

 

Kan-Tor & Acco Law Firm is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in Israel which celebrated Pride Month in June 2023 with spirited marches in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We continue to support the community by offering legal services to same-sex couples seeking Israel immigrant visas or wishing to explore the Aliyah process. In short, the Law of Return encompasses four types of visas, namely:

Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages in Israel and the Impact on Citizenship

Marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples that take place in Israel are not recognized by the Rabbinic authorities which control the registration of marriages and divorces. However, while there are no provisions for civil marriage in Israel, a religious or civil marriage conducted abroad and registered by the authorities of a foreign State may be recognized for certain purposes and benefits. This recognition applies equally to same-sex marriages which are registered and recognized by a foreign State. In 2006, the High Court of Justice ordered the Interior Ministry to officially recognize same-sex marriages of couples who were married outside of Israel.

Accordingly, Joshua Goldberg and Bayardo Alvarez, a same-sex couple whose marriage was held in Canada, were registered as married by the Interior Ministry. Alvarez, the non-Jewish spouse of American immigrant Goldberg, after initially being denied, was eventually granted citizenship after persistent efforts. The Interior Ministry, however, clarified that this decision does not apply universally to all same-sex couples. Israel’s Interior Ministry subsequently expanded the Law of Return in 2014 to enable non-Jewish same-sex spouses of Jews residing abroad to immigrate and attain citizenship.

Specialized Immigration Services for Diverse Clients, Including Same-Sex Couples

Kan-Tor & Acco is a boutique law firm that specializes in general entry law in Israel and immigration applications. Our team of legal professionals is dedicated to assisting individuals and couples exercise their rights to immigrate to Israel or pursue Aliyah, irrespective of their gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, or age. Our experienced team guides clients, including same-sex couples, through the step-by-step process in marriage and non-marriage cases, working diligently to ensure a smooth immigration journey to Israel.

With over 25 years of experience in the field of Immigration Law in Israel, KTA stands as the foremost firm in Israel specializing in this field. Clients can have a full confidence in the expertise and unwavering commitment of our attorneys, who are dedicated to assisting individuals from diverse backgrounds in securing their rights to immigrate to Israel. To learn more about our Private Clientele Department Services, please contact advocates Daniel Aspiro: adaniel@ktalegal.com or David Gardner: david@ktalegal.com.