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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/57453/full/57453/knesset-passes-civil-union-bill/ <br /><br /> <b>Knesset passes civil union bill</b> <br /> Thursday, March 18, 2010 | by <br /><br /><p>Israel’s Knesset passed a civil union bill, although it is expected to help only a small percentage of Israelis who do not want a religious wedding.</p> <p>The bill introduced by the Yisrael Beiteinu party passed its second and third readings during a midnight vote March 15. The lawmakers’ vote was 56-4; lawmakers from the religious Shas and United Torah Judaism parties opposed the bill and did not attend the vote.</p> <p>Yisrael Beiteinu had promised to pass a civil union bill during its first year in the government; the year ends next week.</p> <p>The new law will allow Israelis without a religious affiliation to register a civil marriage with a special couplehood registrar, a position that will be created. It will help about 10 percent of couples who want a civil marriage, according to reports.</p> <p>Under current law, only civil marriages performed abroad are recognized in Israel.</p> <p>Several lawmakers, saying the new law does not go far enough, filibustered the vote for nearly three hours. — <em>jta</em></p>

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