With Weddings in Cyprus, Israelis and Lebanese Bridge a Divide

Many of those Israelis who come to Cyprus to get married do so also because they cannot prove that they are Jewish and the rabbinate obviously only marries Jews. Often they are indeed not Jewish, but have lived as such. In the old days, nobody really checked too much. You said you were Jewish, had some witnesses who attested to this and that satisfied the rabbinate. After World War II, for instance, very few questions were asked. Later on, for example, the late famous Gen. Rafael Eitan may not have been Jewish because there were questions about his mother's Jewishness. He was not the only one. When waves of Eastern European Jews and Russian Jews came to Israel, many could not prove they were Jewish and, once again many were not. They may not have even known this. The problem is not civil marriage or non-Orthodox marriage in Israel, but rather having these marriages recognized by the Israeli Ministry of the Interior. Ironically, secular and non-Orthodox marriages in the Diaspora are recognized. Logic? Not much.

I wish that someone had mentioned that this takes place in South, Greek controlled Cyprus, not North, Turkish controlled Cyprus, where those mixed weddings would be treated quite differently. In Turkey foreigners marrying must meet Turkish paperwork, including a notarized certificate of celibacy.

Cyprus has become the Vegas of middle east marriage, minus the fake Elvis impersonator

It is not correct that marriage is expensive in Israel as article states. It could be had for a fraction of a cost of what it takes to fly outside of the country. The Israeli couples who fly to Cyprus to marry do not do so for the financial consideration. They do so because they do not want to have a kosher marriage. Mind you, the children of such a union might not be considered Jewish any longer. These couples settle for a civil marriage instead. In that case, one can marry in Vegas, or Cyprus, or wherever.

Interesting wedding comments.

New Middle East peace plan: have only couples waiting to be married in Lebanon negotiate. For the sake of their future children they will do a much better job than diplomats....

Let's ban all religions and start that process from the Mid-East. Ban Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Promise you readers all that the planet will be a better place. Good example is my country Iran and its people. Old regime was not religious and welcomed every sect, group and freedom of religion throughout the country. As soon as the religious people took over, they started hatred and propaganda against anyone and anything which was slightly modern and pro-democracy and non-compliant with their 1400 years old backward methods. Just ask how many young Iranians have died in numerous wars since the so called Islamic Republic took over, how many young Iranians have left home country searching for freedom and a decent living. It is so sad. Ban all religion now!

The bride in the fourth picture is already on her cell phone.

Isn't it ridiculous that socializing between the "enemy" citizens is considered a crime in Lebanon? Lebanon once had a small but stable Jewish community that was destroyed many years ago. My brother in law had a Lebanese friend, who studied in England, who went back in the early 70s for a Jewish holiday and was never seen or heard from again. The Jewish school tried to get hold of the family, to no avail. Unfortunately, I think we know what happened.

Having lived and worked in the Eastern Mediterranean and meeting mixed couples, one couple in particular who were Israeli and Palestinian, I find this article to be one of the most interesting and uplifting pieces I've read in a while. Cyprus is a beautiful island, with its own contentious history, but it has great archaeology, beaches, and fantastic food, and it's affordable, so why not offer it as a haven for getting married? It's a great solution for those who don't fit the mold of traditional marriages. Incidentally, like everywhere else, weddings in Israel have become outlandishly expensive, so Cyprus offers a wonderful alternative to that scenario for those who don't want a lavish wedding or for those who can't afford it.

I wish all of these couples well and hope that they can contribute to mutual understanding and peace in the Middle East. One of the things not mentioned in this article is that weddings (and conversions) in Israel are controlled by Orthodox Rabbis and that religious ceremonies performed by Conservative or Reform Rabbis (even between Jews) are not accepted. This monopoly is a shandah (shame)!