An Open Letter to Mr. Amir Ohana

Dear Mr Ohana.

You do not know me, my name is Mitchell Akawie. I am a student at Mosenson Youth Village where you represented the Likud a few months ago on a day in celebration of democracy. At that panel there were heated moments surrounding gay marriage and adoption here in Israel, and there was a passionate reply from the representative of Yesh Atid who happens to be Harel Skaat’s husband. I cannot say that I remember your answer, however I do remember that it was defensive.

To most in the queer community your stance on gay rights does not make sense, it feels hypocritical. I cannot say that I don’t feel the same. However I do admire your position as Israel’s first openly gay cabinet minister. We have come a long way. 

I hope that in this position you find yourself able to push against your bloc’s opposition to gay marriage. The truth is Mr. Ohana that I want to get married one day. I want to get married In the land that I have made my home. I made this land my home by choice, I moved here without my parents when I fourteen years old. It breaks my heart that I cannot have a legally binding Jewish wedding here. My wedding is going to be in the Golan, it is going to overlook the Galil and it will be beautiful. I want to get married, please do the right thing; let me tell my children that the man who paved the way for me and so many like me did the right thing.

B’shalom

Mitchell Akawie