IDF to recognize same-sex families in updated recruitment forms

The Israel Defense Forces is recognizing same-sex families and changing its forms to accommodate young Israelis whose parents are same-sex couples, Army Radio reports.

Once the decision is implemented in the near future, the recruitment forms will reportedly replace the current listings of “Mother” and “Father” with “Parent 1″ and Parent 2.”

The report says the change comes after a lengthy campaign by LGBT rights groups, after the military first refused to implement the change in order to “avoid getting involved in political disagreements.”

The IDF comments that it “updates and changes the questionnaires from time to time in accordance with comments it receives and needs that come up.”

The decision is immediately chastised in religious and ultra-Orthodox press.