“Every person has the basic right to be a parent and start a family,” he said at the event in Tel Aviv to mark 20 years since the founding of Israel Gay Youth, which serves LGBTQ youth in Israel. The group, too, noted that Lapid’s visit was a first for a serving prime minister and that it marked an important milestone, according to Hebrew news site Ynet.
“The Israeli government will stand against any display of violence or hatred against the [LGBTQ] community,” Lapid added. “No one has a mandate over your body and definitely not over your feelings.”
The prime minister argued a large swath of Israelis support same-sex marriage, which is illegal in Israel, citing a 2019 poll saying 78 percent believe gay marriage and civil unions should be legal.
“If most of the public is with us, why did all our bills on the matters fall or get stuck? Why am I the first Israeli prime minister to arrive at an event for the gay community?” Lapid asked rhetorically, accusing other politicians of being “scared” of backing changes. READ MORE
