Dec. 29

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Israel: Ohana Is First Gay Knesset Member

On December 27 thirty-nine-year-old lawyer Amir Ohana (b. 1976) became the first openly gay legislator elected to the Knesset (Israel’s parliament). He was sworn in before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised his qualifications during the installation. Ohana is a member of the Likud political party.

Netanyahu made these remarks in an address to the Knesset:

“I want to make a point that may not be clear. Amir is the first clear, candid representative of the gay community who was elected in an open primary when he was completely out of the closet. He was elected by thousands of voters in the Likud primary. Amir represents very well our view of liberal nationalism. He believes in the rights of the Jewish people in their land, in protecting the country’s security, civil rights, capitalist economics and a free market. I’ve had the chance to work with him. He is pleasant but firm in his opinions, steadfast in his principles, and I think he will be an excellent Knesset member and a bridge between different parts of the public. I receive him with respect and pride.”

Nevertheless, some members of the Knesset boycotted the ceremony because of Ohana’s sexual orientation. Amir Ohana and his partner Alon Hadad are the parents of four-month-old twins, a boy and a girl, born from a surrogate mother from Oregon in the United States.