Jeeezzz - if this has taken hold in Israel, we’re finished.
Israel is considered one of the most “progressive” countries in the region when it comes to this sort of thing.
“LGBT rights in Israel have advanced in recent years and have generally been seen as one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East and Asia. Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1988, although the former law against buggery had not been enforced since a court decision of 1963. Israel became the first in Asia to recognize unregistered cohabitation between same-sex couples, making it the only country in Asia (together with Vietnam) to recognize any same-sex union thus far. Although same-sex marriages are not performed in the country, Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, making it the first and only country in Asia to do so. Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation were prohibited in 1992. Same-sex couples are allowed to jointly adopt after a court decision in 2008, while previously allowing stepchild adoptions and limited co-guardianship rights for non-biological parents. Gays and lesbians are also allowed to serve openly in the military.
Recent polls have indicated that a majority of Israelis support same-sex marriage, despite some social conservatism. Tel Aviv has frequently been referred to by publishers as one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, famous for its annual Pride Parade and gay beach, earning it the nickname “the gay capital of the Middle East” by Out Magazine. According to LGBT travelers, it was ranked as the best gay city in 2011, despite reports of some LGBT violence during the 2000s, which were criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. A monument dedicated to the LGBT victims persecuted by Nazis during World War II will be erected in Tel Aviv.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Israel
Read the whole Wiki entry; I think a lot of people would probably be quite surprised to see how “gay friendly” Israel really is, most notably that gays are allowed to serve openly in the IDF.
Apparently one of the best-kept secrets among many conservatives here in the U.S. is that Israel isn’t a religious country at all. It’s a modern, secular country modeled after a parliamentary socialist government of Europe. Israel is no more Jewish than France is Catholic.
Well, not according to the Bible, but this is an appalling development.