The Biyad party, led by Naftali Bennett, has recently presented a political-social platform that includes a commitment to promote full equal rights for the LGBT community in Israel. This proposal marks a significant shift in stance compared to views previously expressed by Bennett. According to reports in ynet, the plan includes establishing a path for civil partnership registration at the Ministry of the Interior, accessible to all couples regardless of religion, gender, or sexual orientation, while refraining from using the legal term "civil marriage."
A central component of the plan is "Basic Law: Equality," which is intended to constitutionally anchor the right to equality and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, the party pledges to amend the Interpretation Law so that the prohibition on discrimination is explicitly expanded to protect LGBT individuals. Furthermore, the plan includes a commitment to legislation that would broadly prohibit the practice of conversion therapy, following administrative steps taken in the past during Bennett's tenure as Prime Minister.
Alongside these aspects, the party proposes establishing a dedicated and permanent budget for community services, aiming to ensure budgetary continuity independent of government changes. From a legal and political perspective, these proposals have previously been raised as private and public bills, such as those known as the "Sagi Laws," but have not yet matured into comprehensive primary legislation. Some rights in the areas of parenthood and surrogacy were previously regulated through Supreme Court rulings and government decisions, but Bennett's move seeks to anchor these issues at the legislative level.
The Biyad party list for the Knesset includes MKs Eitan Ginzburg and Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu, who are active in promoting community rights. Despite the presentation of the plan, political commentators point out that the realization of these commitments depends on the results of future coalition negotiations. Various figures in the political system, including the Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu parties, have also presented similar commitments, but the question of the feasibility of implementing these changes remains open. Bennett himself stated that the goal of the move is a historical correction and protection of the community from violence and incitement. It remains to be seen which clauses will receive sufficient support in the Knesset and become binding law.