Israel: Court turns down restraining order against gay partner

Link: Ha'aretz

Excerpt:

A Family Court judge in Ramat Gan turned down a request by a man for a restraining order against a former male partner on the grounds that Israel's family and domestic violence laws do not apply to homosexual partnerships.

The complainant told the court that the former lover, a younger man who had lived in his Ramat Gan home with him for two years, was abusing him psychologically. 

He argued that as common-law partner he was entitled to the protection of the family court. 

His former partner, however, refused to acknowledge the common-law status, arguing that he had never changed his permanent address nor did he contribute financially to the upkeep of the household.

[...]

The complainant claimed that his former lover's behavior constituted harassment and abuse because it undermined his social status and his workplace status as well as harming his children and current partner.

But the judge, Dr. Gershon German, ruled that the request does not meet the criteria of the law because the parties do not meet the requirements for family members or for common-law spouses.

[jw]