Israeli legislator quits in dispute over nephew's gay wedding

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmaker resigned from theIsraelilegislature on Wednesday after drawing rabbis' wrath for attending hisgaynephew'swedding.

Yigal Guetta of the Shas party said in anIsraeliradio interview earlier this week that he and his family had gone to the celebration, held two years ago in Israel, because he wanted his sister's son to be happy, althoughgaymarriage violated his own religious beliefs.

A letter published on Monday by five prominentIsraelirabbis said same-sex marriage is an "abomination". Accusing Guetta of "desecrating God's will", they called on his party to fire him.

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Guetta made no immediate public statement after his resignation was confirmed by party officials.

The newspaper Haaretz quoted a source close to the politician as saying he had refused to apologise and decided to quit, to avoid being asked to do so by Shas's own religious sages, who set party policy.

Same-sexweddings held in Israel are not sanctioned by the state, and only Orthodox rabbis can issue marriage licences. Couples may marry without a license, but the union won't be officially recognised.

Israel does recognise same-sex couples who marry abroad and any other non-Orthodox weddings performed outside of the country.