The High Court of Justice was set to hear a petition in support of civil marriage on Monday.
A group of nine civil rights groups, led by the Israel Religious Action
Center (IRAC) and including the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, Kolech
Religious Women's Forum, Hiddush and the Jerusalem Open House for Pride
and Tolerance, asked the court to order the state to explain why it
has not established civil marriage for couples for whom at least one
partner is either of no religion, is not recognized as Jewish by the
Rabbinate or for couples of different faiths.
Currently, couples in this situation who wish to marry must do so in a
civil ceremony abroad. Meanwhile, Jewish Israelis can only marry in an
Orthodox Jewish wedding ceremony.