Fridae

Hailed as a breakthrough by Israel's gay-rights movement, the first openly gay Israeli Member of Parliament Professor Uzi Even will replace a departing member for the Meretz party for the Knesset (parliament).

The 61-year-old who is a combat veteran of two wars, professor of physical chemistry at Tel Aviv University, one of the nation's leading specialists on nuclear weapons technology is expected to enter the Knesset on November 1st although its substantial Orthodox Jewish minority views homosexuality as an abomination.

Prof. Even has been at the forefront of the gay-rights movement in Israel since 1993 when he was removed him from his job as an intelligence officer after he was discovered to be living with a man. His case attracted extensive media coverage and he was later invited to address parliament about discrimination against gays in the army. Three months after, army rules were changed - prohibiting discrimination against gay and lesbian soldiers in recruitment, placement and promotion.

Even also made the headlines when he had fought for the right of his communications professor partner of 12 years to be recognised as a common-law partner and to attain benefits that a opposite sex common-law partner of academic staff members are entitled to.

Prof. Even and his partner were also among the first gay men to become foster parents in Israel. They took in a 15-year-old who is now 22 after he had been thrown out by his family for being gay. The arrangement was approved by the social welfare authorities and the boy's biological parents.

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According to Ha'aretz newspaper, Even said although he would focus on science, technology and education matters, he would represent the gay community in parliament and try to introduce legislation, which would improve conditions for gays and gay couples concerning inheritance, taxation and other rights.

Even's appointment has caused (predictable) outrage among other politicians.

Interior Minister Elie Ishai who is the Chairman of the ultra-orthodox Shas said: "This represents a moral decline."

Nissim Ze'ev, Member of Parliament from the same party caused quite a stir when he referred to Even's appointment. Ze'ev was quoted as saying, "Even represents the moral downfall in which the nation of Israel is in and the beast in mankind. It is anti-moral."

He added: "further sad and disgraceful surprises are in store for us as a result of the message he surely intends on bringing to the Knesset in order to please the public he represents."

The gay community has pledged their support for the gay politician.

"Israeli gays and lesbians are now strong enough to stand behind him. And if they (politicians) are not ready for him, we'll make them," said Lior Mencher, executive director of the Association of Homosexuals and Lesbians.