Rabbinate in Israel Requires Proof of Jewishness Before Granting Marriage.Rabbinate in Israel Requires Proof of Jewishness Before Granting Marriage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/magazine/02jewishness-t.html Some Israelis, especially those from America, are have a hard time satisfying the official Orthodox Rabbinate's criteria. Israel does not have civil marriage. So couples have to gain the approval of this modern day Sanhedrin. This requirement I regard as being in stark contrast with Israels claim of being a democratic country.