"Civil Partnership Covenant": Bennett's U-turn and the Plan for Equality for the LGBTQ Community

The Together Party, led by Naftali Bennett, proposes a plan for full equal rights for the LGBTQ community, including a civil partnership covenant, enshrining equality in a Basic Law, and banning conversion therapy. More than a decade after opposing recognition of same-sex marriage, Bennett presents a shift in his stance. The plan avoids the term "civil marriage" and includes a party commitment, but it is unclear which clauses will survive coalition negotiations.

The Together Party, led by Naftali Bennett, proposes a plan for full equal rights for the LGBTQ community, marking a shift in his personal stance. More than a decade after opposing recognition of same-sex marriage, Bennett now presents a party commitment that includes a civil partnership covenant at the Ministry of Interior, granting all the rights and obligations of married couples, regardless of religion, gender, or sexual orientation. The plan does not use the term "civil marriage." Additional steps include enshrining the right to equality in a Basic Law, a comprehensive legislative ban on conversion therapy, and a fixed budget for community services. Many of these steps are not new and have been proposed in the Knesset before but did not become law. The novelty, according to the article, lies in the identity of the one committing to them. Bennett included two gay Knesset members in his list who have worked to advance LGBTQ rights: Eitan Ginzburg and Yorai Lahav Hertzanu. The main test of the plan will be political, and it is unclear which commitments will withstand coalition negotiations. The article notes that other parties, such as the Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu, are placing similar issues on the agenda.