LGBT rights are in the PM’s heart, Sara Netanyahu says

Sara Netanyahu denied that LGBT people in Israel lacked equal rights, saying "I do not think they are not equal."

JULY 30, 2018 14:25

Updated: JULY 31, 2018 03:46

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu stand next to the dedication plaque of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, after the dedication ceremony of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018. (photo credit: ILLUSTRATIVE/RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu stand next to the dedication plaque of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, after the dedication ceremony of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018.

(photo credit: ILLUSTRATIVE/RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, responded to last Sunday’s protests against the recently passed surrogacy law, assuring members of the LGBTQ community that they “are in the prime minister’s heart,” Channel 2 reported on Monday.

“I think our country is very advanced, and only continues to advance,” she said. “I do not think [members of the LGBTQ community] are not equal.”

“Guys, have some patience. You have someone here who is thinking about you. I’m not elected, I’m not the head of state, but I can tell you that you are in his heart,” she said.

Netanyahu also detailed the assistance she had given to members of the LGBTQ community in the past.

“I think everyone in the community knows how much I help them,” she said. “I helped a couple bring their children from India and I helped many couples when they were in Nepal. And really, behind the scenes I am very supportive and helpful.”

Netanyahu noted that her husband also supports the LGBTQ community’s struggle. “The prime minister is also very supportive. We have to give him time and patience and everything will be fine.”

Israelis all over the country took the streets to protest a surrogacy law that excludes single men and gay couples, July 22, 2018.

The prime minister has not responded to the uproar over the surrogacy law.

The controversy emerged after the Knesset passed a law that extended the right for state-funded surrogacy to include single women, but denied it for single men and homosexual couples.

Earlier this month, the prime minister posted a video in which he promised to support an amendment to the bill that would grant access to surrogacy for same-sex couples.

Despite his pledge of support, Netanyahu voted against the amendment.

In response, the LGBTQ called a nation-wide strike and thousands of people protested.

Rocky Baier contributed to this report