'Civil partnership': Naftali Bennett’s reversal and plan for LGBTQ equality

Naftali Bennett's Beyachad party has unveiled a comprehensive plan to grant full civil equality to the LGBTQ community in Israel, marking a significant shift from his previous stance in 2015. The plan includes establishing a civil partnership framework registered with the Interior Ministry, ensuring all rights and obligations of married couples, and enshrining the right to equality in a Basic Law. Additionally, it proposes a sweeping statutory ban on conversion therapy and permanent state funding for LGBTQ community services. Bennett stated, "You are not asking for gifts here. You simply want the rights every Israeli deserves." The plan's political viability in future coalition negotiations remains a key challenge.