Israeli singer Harel Skaat generated controversy on Monday after calling on gay youth to avoid mandatory military service to protest the government's view that lifting certain restrictions on adoption by same-sex couples would impose an "undue burden" on the children. "One day you will be asked to serve and contribute your share," he wrote on Facebook. "As someone who loves this country and served in the military, and has a partner who is a captain in the reserves who gets called up for about a month every year, as a proud Jew who speaks of his patriotism at every opportunity, all over the world, I call on you to avoid the draft! And you know what, don't pay taxes on the money you start making and don't perform any of the duties you are required to perform." Skaat is openly gay and has worked to promote LGBT causes. Skaat's post became viral, and generated both positive and negative reactions. While Israeli law limits adoption to heterosexual couples, the state has allowed same-sex couples to adopt under certain conditions. Usually, however, this is only if no heterosexual couple is found to adopt the child. Same-sex couples are also prevented from using surrogacy in Israel. Meanwhile, on Monday, Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz tried to clarify the state's position. In a statement issued by his ministry, he said the state's response to a petition asking the relevant law to be amended included "unsuccessful language that should have never been used." The ministry further said that it has "no plans to deny adoption from any particular group." The ministry said that it was of the view that the rules governing adoption should be overhauled altogether. The ministry's statement did not end the controversy. The Aguda -- Israel's LGBT Task Force said on Monday that it would organize a demonstration in Tel Aviv later this week to protest the government's position.
