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The plight of Dan Goldberg, an Israeli gay man who is stuck in the city because his twin sons from a surrogate mother are not being granted Israeli citizenship, has aroused widespread sympathy back home in Israel.

A spot protest, primarily by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, was held in front of the office of the Ministry of Interiors. in Jerusalem yesterday. This was to urge its members to speed up the process of granting citizenship to the twins.

LUCKY ONES: Israeli gay couple Yonatan (extreme left) and Omer Gher had their baby, Evyatar, through a surrogate mother in the city in 2008 and are now back in Israel. FILE PIC

Broadening support
Among the protestors was Yonatan Gher, who, like Goldberg, had a baby through surrogacy in 2008. In an e-mail, Yonatan said that he had been in touch with Goldberg and his partner, and had offered them advice before their trip.

"I've been following their case closely and I have participated in a demonstration in Jerusalem against the Israeli Interior Ministry on their behalf," said Yonatan.

"They are very grateful for the hospitality and the facilities they have received in Mumbai, but are eager to get back home to their work and their families," he added.

Echoing Yonatan's sentiments was Israeli gay activist and Aguda (Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders) president, Mike Hamel. Speaking from Israel, Hamel said the group has now obtained a licence to conduct a rally in front of the district court in Tel Aviv on May 17.

"The procession in Jerusalem was spontaneous and thus, the turnout wasn't very high. However, we are expecting thousands of people to turn up for the Tel Aviv rally," said Hamel.

Stricter laws
Hamel and other members from the LGBT community in Israel are now calling for stricter legislation in matters of international surrogacy for Israeli parents.

"It just proves that the legislation is lax, and gay fathers are at the mercy of the judicial system that can swing from being liberal and open-minded to clerical and orthodox. Surrogacy laws need to be amended so that Israeli citizens do not need to leave their country to exercise the basic necessity of wanting to start a family," he added.

Help at hand
While Goldberg declined to comment, officials from the Israeli Consulate said they were in constant touch with Goldberg and were trying to help him.