Israel
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on the situation of homosexuals all over the world may not be completely
accurate or up-to-date. The information is gathered on the Internet and
in other publications. If you have any additional information, corrections,
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Updated 00-11-03
Dana International
May 9, 1998
Legal
In March of 1998, the Knesset (Parliament) passed an anti-discrimination bill making homophobic remarks or actions illegal. The Western view of Israel as a country run by orthodox Jews seems to be proven wrong. However, the President, Ezer Weizman, made some very homophobic comments in 1996, which he soon had to retract after causing upheaval both in Israel and abroad.
In July 2000, the Knesset lowered the age of consent of homosexual acts from 18 to 16. Source: Planet Out.
The singer Sharon Cohen a.k.a. Dana International represented Israel in the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest - and won! This caused quite a stir among ultraorthodox Jews and the government in her homeland (and in European media) as she used to be a man. Sex operated Dana even received threats of all sorts, but this does not stop her. Hopefully this stir up will enlighten the people of Israel and Europe even more on the glbt issues.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has legalized gay sex. Being lesbian or gay is no bar to serving in the military.
If you have any further information
on the current situation in Israel, please contact
me.
| Age of consent | Male-Female | Male-Male | Female-Female |
| Israel | 16 | 16* | 16* |
It is 14 if the age difference is less than three years.
To view adult material in Israel you have to be over 18.
Further information on the
situation in Israel can be found at:
The
Other 10%
Pink
Time Magazine (In Hebrew)
| Statistics:
Republic,
Asia
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