Gay Couples May Get Same Tax Deductions as Straight Couples in Israel

The Ministerial Coalition on Legislation approved the proposal Sunday

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Israel’s parliament is considering a bill to allow same-sex couples to claim the same tax deductions given to heterosexual parents.

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation, which serves as a precursor for measures heading to parliament, approved the proposal Sunday, Haaretz reports. The legislation was struck down by the committee just one week before, after Conservative and religious lawmakers criticized it for upsetting the status quo.

The measure was proposed by lawmaker Adi Kol of the Yesh Atid party, which is part of the ruling coalition, after gay male couples argued they should receive the same tax breaks as heterosexual families. Under current Israeli law, all mothers as well as single fathers can receive tax breaks for children, but two fathers of one child do not qualify.

Religious groups have previously prevented Israel from passing LGBT anti-discriminatory laws, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and giving gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals in adopting children.

But Kol said the measure is a “clear and strong message that the State of Israel views same-sex couples as parents in every way and manner, as a legitimate family unit.”

[Haaretz]