Gays in the Armed Forces: Israelis Say 'No Problem'

Chapin, Michele, The Christian Century

Israel, like the United States, is a largely secular society with deep religious roots. And Israel, like the U.S., is home to vocal religious conservatives who frown on homosexuality. But Israel, unlike the U.S., has allowed gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military for 17 years. In fact, they are required to do so. If Israel has found a way to allow gays in the military, can it provide lessons to the U.S. as it struggles with whether--and how--to dismantle the "don't ask/ don't tell" policy?

Perhaps. But like everything in Israel, it's a bit more complicated. And the comparison between the U.S. and Israel is inexact.

By most accounts, Israel's integration of gays into the military has succeeded, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has …

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Publication information: Article title: Gays in the Armed Forces: Israelis Say 'No Problem'. Contributors: Chapin, Michele - Author. Magazine title: The Christian Century. Volume: 127. Issue: 26 Publication date: December 28, 2010. Page number: 15. © 2009 The Christian Century Foundation. COPYRIGHT 2010 Gale Group.

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