Israeli President Meets Gay Activists
by Jon ben Asher
365Gay.com Newscenter in London

(November 28, Jerusalem) Israeli President Moshe Katsav met Tuesday with representatives of the Political Council for Gay Rights. He is the first president to invite members of the group to a meeting.

Katsav's predecessor, Ezer Weizman, was forced to meet with a delegation of gay after public outrage following a homophobic outburst by the outspoken Weizman.

Katsav is " the first president who actually invited us," Shavi Gatenio, a member of the delegation said.

Tuesday's meeting was initiated by lawyer Menachem Shizaf, who is one of the founders of rights group PCGR and the editor of Keshet (Rainbow Magazine). 

Shizaf said the meeting focused on issues that ranged from health to gay marriages and pension and inheritance rights.

The presidency in Israel is mostly ceremonial.  Gatenio conceded that there is not much that Katsav can do towards improving the situation with regard to gay rights, "but the fact that he invited us is a sign of official recognition."