In a landmark decision, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced Sunday that same-sex couples in Israel will be extended the same adoption rights as heterosexual couples.

The decision marks a watershed in granting equal rights to gays and lesbians in Israel. Until now, the government has not allowed gay couples to adopt children through the Welfare and Social Services Ministry’s Child Welfare Service unless a child was one of the partners’ biological offspring.

“I welcome the decision,” said Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog. “There is no reason why same-sex couples who meet the criteria for adoption should not be able to join the process of adoption and of parenthood. We must adapt to the spirit of the times and the changes that are afoot.”

To read more about this story on Haaretz, click here.

To read more about gay rights in Israel, visit our blog at http://www.isrealli.org/gay-rights-in-israel/.

For more information, please contact Keren Ritchie at 212-499-5413 or kerenr@newyork.mfa.gov.il.

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