Army allows gay Palestinian to reunite with Israeli lover

[bjorkfan]

By NIR GONTAJ, YNET News.com

A 33 year-old gay Palestinian man from Jenin has recently been granted a temporary residency permit in Israel by the IDF, in order to allow him to reunite with his Israeli partner who lives in Tel Aviv.

The permit was issued by Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yosef Mishlav.

Several years ago, the Palestinian has filed a request with the Israeli Interior Ministry to receive residency status in Israel that would enable him to live with his lover for the past eight years, a computer engineer in his forties.

After he realized that obtaining the permit may take several years, the young man decided to seek the help of the IDF representative in the territories. In a letter to Mishlav he noted that ever since his family learned of his gay relationship with an Israeli man, he has been facing an ongoing threat to his life.

In an unprecedented move, Mishlav decided to grant the request and issue the Palestinian a temporary permit, which needs to be extended every month.

"We have been asking to be reunited for five years," said his Israeli boyfriend Monday. "I'm suffering from a heart disease and need my partner beside me."

The young Palestinian himself said that he has been examined by the Shin Bet. "There's nothing wrong with me. All I want is to b with my boyfriend," he stated.

Mishalv's office stressed that "the permit has been issued to the applicant as an exception, until the Interior Ministry rules on the matter."

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/03/army-allows-gay.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I am very surprised this was allowed. I am very happy for them, though. (Too bad the

Israeli fellow is sick, though. :( )

[donheld]

2. Wonderful

[GodlessBiker]

3. Nice. I believe Israel allows openly gay people to serve in the military.