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| Yuval Topper-Erez |
For the first time, Israel has recognized two gay men as the biological fathers of a boy, according to a statement released by the Israeli Interior Ministry.
The child is the son of Yuval Topper-Erez, a transsexual man, who gave birth in December 2011. The Home Office refused to recognize the child's father, Matan, as the biological father.
However, after the couple struggled for over a year, and after getting the support of Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Knesset Internal Affairs Committee Chairwoman Knesset member Miri Regev, he was finally recognized as the father.
"While the solution was not ideal, we are still happy that the child has been enrolled in the IDs of both parents. We thank all who were involved and helped make this happen," the father, Matan, said.
"I hope that as a result of our case, all same-sex couples will be able to register as parents to their children. It was worth the fight," Matan added.
While Israel does not allow marriages between persons of the same sex to be performed due to the lack of a civil marriage option, the state recognizes same-sex unions from abroad.
Same-sex couples can also register for the state of coexistence, and receive many of the same benefits as heterosexual couples.
Israel is the only Middle Eastern country that recognizes marriages between persons of the same sex.