CAIRO (IslamOnline) - Homosexual organizations in Israel have formed a political movement supporting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in upcoming Israeli elections.
"Our movement defends the political and social rights of homosexuals and defend[s] their rights," explained Professor Ben Effen, a former general in the Israeli military and one of the most famous homosexuals in Israel.
Effen said that homosexual organizations would not hesitate to vote for leftwing candidate Barak.
"We believe that Barak's government would understand the needs and wants of the homosexuals," said Effen, who resigned from his military post to live with a boyfriend.
"We expect Barak's government to issue more laws in favor of homosexuality, and to consider homosexuals a legitimate and original sect of the Israeli society," he added.
Effen criticized ultra-right candidate Ariel Sharon, saying that if he takes office, he would form a rightwing coalition with Orthodox religious parties who would deprive homosexuals of their rights.
He also said that in case he achieved any success, Barak would attribute his success to Israeli homosexuals, who represent 12% of the country's population.
Israeli homosexual groups also believe that if Barak takes office, they could claim more rights, including that of marriage.
"The state should acknowledge homosexual marriage and the parliament should issue laws regulating marital status and marital affairs of homosexuals," said Effen.
As a part of his electoral campaign, Barak sent a delegation to attend a conference on homosexuality. The head of Barak's delegation promised conference attendees that Barak's government would answer their demands and grant them more rights.
