Russian-Israelis protest against marriage restrictions
 

The wedding of Inna Zyskind and Pavel Kogan last week was one of the happiest days of their lives.

Friends and family watched as they exchanged vows and rings under a canopy in their quirky designer outfits.

Then more than 1,000 guests attended an open-air festival in Tel Aviv, with street performers and musicians, partying long into the night.

The couple's only regret is that their marriage is not legally recognised in Israel.

In fact, it was organised by activist groups as part of a colourful protest against religious restrictions on who can marry.

Inna, who was born in Russia, was able to move here and become an Israeli citizen under the state's law of return for Jews.

But she is not recognised as truly Jewish by Israel's orthodox rabbinical establishment.

And in Israel, only religious marriages, not civil ones, are allowed.

Uncertain status

As I sit in the couple's cosy apartment in Jaffa, which they share with their nine-month-old daughter and two fluffy cats, Inna explains her shock at finding out she was not considered a Jew.

"When I came to Israel, I felt I'd come home. I was brought up as a Jewish girl," she says. "Three of my four grandparents were in the Holocaust."

The problem, she soon found out, is that her maternal grandmother was not Jewish. And in Judaism, religion is inherited through the maternal line.

It is estimated that some 300,000 Israelis from the former Soviet Union, many of whom pay taxes and serve in the Israeli military, are in the same predicament.

A number of them came along to what was, in the end, the symbolic wedding party of Inna and Pavel, which took place on Tu B'Av, the Jewish equivalent of Valentine's Day.

"This was our demonstration," says Pavel. "We're secular people. We want to break the religious monopoly over this part of our life in Israel. We should be allowed a civil wedding."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14665586


Note: 26 August 2011 Last updated at 07:22 GMT

Its ridiculous situation here that people who according to "return law" have a right to be Israeli citizens but cant to get married properly.
I don't think that monopoly of orthodox can be broken as long as there is a political division over other issues at which orthodox parties are neutral and come handy in coalition.
Only solution for now is to get married abroad.

If you want to get married, then finds love no bounds .... and then does not that matter much more one that it is a "game" of nations, known as the laws and rules.

True...but its basic thing that need to be solved.
The problem is that in Israel those issues are always low in queue because of all other burning problems.

All the subject of orthodox rabbinate is a big mess that its always under debate but actually nothing is done.
Its much beyond the marriage issue.

There was a time when marriage was not complicated, certainly had religion, background, etc. .. a role at times, but today "can" be purely political motives as obstacles rather than.

I'm not sure i understand...

That it is more a question of politics.

There is a issue revolving around Israel being Jewish state.
Still Muslims or Christians have no problems getting married.
The problem is with emigrants who are not quite kosher but not from the group above.
If "the law of return" does not contradict the Jewishness of Israel then marriage is just technicality.
Again its this orthodox interests vs state interests.

Its one of two things - the law of return has to be changed or civil laws.

Which sounds like a utopia, it will be a change just that, then there is well anchored, :hmmm:

In current scheme it is utopia besides the marriage thing is a least of an issue about orthodox community in Israel.

Meanwhile one can always hop to Cyprus.

Right...or convert to any other appropriate ... if the situation allows for this...

That option too.

Yes!

WHAT !!! They both got a problem with The Hotentots and The Whoandwhatnots getting married ? :o .:har: