Liberman's First Decision: Equality for Bereaved Gay Couples

Jerusalem, 1 June, 2016 (TPS) -- Jerusalem (TPS) – With Israeli LGBT Pride Week on the horizon, Avigdor Liberman made his first decision as the newly-appointed defense minister on Wednesday that bereaved same-sex couples will continue to be recognized by the state.

Liberman decided to continue the plan initiated by his predecessor, Moshe Ya’alon, to recognize widowers and widows of partners killed in action during army service, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The Defense Ministry officially announced on May 4 under Ya’alon that gay soldiers are to have rights entirely equal to those of their heterosexual counterparts, which includes the rights of bereaved couples.

No special legislation was necessary to implement this decision.

“We treat same-sex bereaved families and heterosexual bereaved families equally,” read a statement issued by Ya’alon’s office in early May. “The moral obligation to our bereaved families, widows, widowers, and orphans is immense and will be recognized as such whether in a same-sex or heterosexual family.”

Ya’alon, a longtime champion of gay rights, even expressed hope last year that Israel would follow in the footsteps of the United States in the legalization of same-sex marriage.