Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage
Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah.
TEL AVIV — Israel’s High Court rejected an appeal by the state against allowing civil marriages performed online in the US state of Utah to be registered in Israel. The March 7 ruling opened the way for civil marriages via Zoom.
In Israel, weddings must be officiated by religious authorities. The Chief Rabbinate is responsible for performing and registering all marriages between Israeli Jews, Muslim religious authorities are responsible for marriages between Israeli Muslims and Christian religious authorities are responsible for marriages between Israeli Christians. Mixed-faith marriages are impossible in Israel. For these couples and those interested in civil marriage, marrying abroad was the only option until March 8
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