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From the Legal Trenches

From the Legal Trenches

23/05/2023 12:13

1. Freedom of Marriage: In the last newsletter we reported on Hiddush’s legal breakthrough, which brought Israel closer than ever before to realizing freedom of marriage.

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Shavuot: A Time to Advocate for Religious Freedom and Equality

Shavuot: A Time to Advocate for Religious Freedom and Equality

23/05/2023 08:55

On the Festival Celebrating the Torah – It’s Time for Religious Freedom and Equality

Rockets and Resilience in Israel

Rockets and Resilience in Israel

14/05/2023 15:10

As we were preparing this newsletter, missiles were leaving a trail of smoke and fire, the Iron Dome was in full action, mortar bombs, planes and drones were flying overhead. Over 1,200 missiles have been fired by the Islamic Jihad from Gaza towards the towns in the south and center of the country, and again Israel found itself in a cycle of war that returns annually again and again. Thankfully, a cease fire has been brokered with Egypt’s active engagement, but as of yet, no real solution seems to be in sight or is being seriously considered.

An Important Perspective from the Protest in Israel

An Important Perspective from the Protest in Israel

14/05/2023 14:18

We share with you a translation of one of the most instructive and concise texts we have read recently, the words delivered by Prof. Moti Segev from the Technion on April 29th, 2023, at the weekly demonstration of thousands held in Haifa. His words offer a genuine and compelling perspective from the protest movement, conveying nuances and emotions beyond what you may have read and heard until now.….

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

23/04/2023 14:31

Since its establishment in 2009, Hiddush has published a unique annual report called the "Religion and State Index", which is based on a comprehensive survey and a large representative sample of the adult Jewish public in Israel. Its findings, which are published every year just before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year [you can find the 2022 index report here], have been demonstrating for years that the politicians' cynical statements about the public's support for the "status quo" on matters of religion and state (and especially the false declarations by the speakers of the current coalition that the results of the last elections prove the public's preference for a traditional and religious country ) are completely baseless. A large and consistent majority expresses support for the principle of freedom of religion and conscience guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence and its opposition to every element of religious coercion and excess privileges granted to the ultra-Orthodox sector.



Between Freedom and Independence

Between Freedom and Independence

23/04/2023 11:30

We have just concluded the celebration of Passover, the Festival of Freedom, and next week we will celebrate Israeli Independence Day. Both holidays have an added special meaning this year. The festival of freedom reminds us that freedom is not granted without a struggle, and Independence Day heightens our awareness that independence gained by blood 75 years ago is likewise not to be taken for granted nor guaranteed forever.

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

08/02/2023 14:36

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

Update from Supreme Court Hearing on Registration of “Utah Marriages”

Update from Supreme Court Hearing on Registration of “Utah Marriages”

08/02/2023 14:23

On Monday, January 30, 2023, the Supreme Court held a hearing on the State's appeal regarding the registration of Utah marriages in the Israeli population registry, as the population authority is required to do for civil marriages of Israelis that take place in all other countries of the world

In the Legal Trenches: The State Appeals Marriage Rulings

In the Legal Trenches: The State Appeals Marriage Rulings

10/11/2022 22:53

After resounding victories in the Administrative Courts the State Attorney's Office refused to accept the defeat and filed an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the rulings ordering registration of Utah “zoom weddings” and requested that their implementation be delayed.

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via "Utah Marriage" to be registered

30/09/2022 10:41

The Administrative Court in Jerusalem ruled in favor of a petition filed by the NGO Hiddush - for Religious Freedom and Equality, directing the Population Authority and the Ministry of the Interior to register as married any couple that gets married via "Utah marriage” (A marriage platform created by Utah County, Utah, USA. Marriages are conducted via video conferencing with a marriage officiant in Utah and which can take place even if both spouses are in Israel or elsewhere in the world).

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

08/09/2022 23:18

Over the past 5 years the Jerusalem municipality has allocated NIS 100 million to religious institutions - and not even one shekel of this sum was allocated for Christian and Muslim communities or liberal strands of Judaism.

In the Legal Trenches

In the Legal Trenches

18/08/2022 20:23

As the conclusion of the court’s summer recess approaches, we are preparing to renew litigation next month.

Court orders the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

Court orders the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

10/07/2022 20:43

Hiddush - For Religious Freedom and Equality, responds to ruling by Administrative Court ordering the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

On the Legal Front

On the Legal Front

30/06/2022 19:27

the battle goes on. It is not just the Women of the Wall or the Pride Parade that are at stake. It’s the soul of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and that is why safeguarding the independence and the authority of the Supreme Court is so important in Israel, even if we do not always agree with its rulings.

On the Legal Front

On the Legal Front

12/05/2022 22:30

Recently we received a reminder of how important it is to not merely be able to petition the court in order to correct wrongs, but also to monitor implementation of court rulings and of the actual change in policy. That takes time, perseverance, and patience - a requisite for legal advocacy which by its nature is ongoing and can stretch out over a long period of time.

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