Human rights in Israel has been evaluated by intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights activists. They are checked often in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the wider Arab–Israeli conflict and Israel internal politics.
Israel is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. It was described in its Declaration of Independence as a "Jewish state"[1] – the legal definition "Jewish and democratic state" was adopted in 1985.
In addition to its Jewish majority, Israel is home to religious and ethnic minorities. Some of them report discrimination. In the Palestinian territories, successive Israeli governments have been criticized from other countries and international human rights groups. One of the Basic Laws of Israel, aimed to make the basis of a future constitution,[2] Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, is a major tool for safeguarding human rights and civil liberties in Israel.
See the main article: LGBT rights in Israel |
Rights for sexual minorities in Israel are thought to be the best in the Middle East.
Israel has not legalized same-sex marriage. But same-sex marriages valid in foreign countries are legally recognized in Israel.[3][4] Israel guarantees civil rights for its homosexual population, including adoption rights and partner benefits.[5] Israel also gives a common-law marriage status for same-sex domestic partners. The sodomy law inherited from the British Mandate of Palestine was repealed in 1988. But there was an explicit instruction issued in 1953 by the Attorney General of Israel ordering the police to refrain from enforcing this law, so long as no other offenses were involved.
A national gay rights law bans some anti-gay discrimination, including in employment; some exemptions are made for religious organizations. In the past, military service of homosexuals was subject to certain restrictions. These restrictions were lifted in 1993, allowing homosexuals to serve openly in all units of the army.[6]
In March 2014, the Ministry of Health stated that sex-reassignment surgery was included among subsidized health services provided to citizens. Despite this, in May Haaretz reported that a health maintenance organization refused to pay for two sex-change surgeries. This resulted in great expenses by the patients.
A national LGBTI task force found that 80 percent of transgender persons, 50 percent of lesbians and 20 percent of gay men were discriminated against when seeking employment.[7]