Israel must be called to task on mixed marriage

I wish to set the record straight in relation to FR Baigel claims (Irish Examiner, Nov 6) that I wrote erroneously about Israeli civil law not permitting marriages between Jews and non-Jews (including Palestinians).

In fact I was correct, as he himself went on to explain. There is no civil law mechanism that permits mixed religion marriage in Israel. Marriage remains in the hands of religious authorities, and the Jewish authorities will not marry Jews and non-Jews.

The Israeli government will recognize marriages performed between Israeli Jewish citizens and non-Jews that are performed outside of Israel, but Jews and non-Jews cannot marry in the country.

Getting married is a basic right that everyone should have. However as in so many other areas of life, Israel denies such basic human rights to Arabs and other non-Jews.

States and inter-state bodies that trade with Israel cannot continue to ignore or tolerate its systematic human rights abuse. They must start listening to the millions of people whose lives are being affected, and to follow their request to support the international boycotts, divestment, and sanctions campaign.

John Lannon

Raheen

Ballyneety

Co Limerick