The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has updated its regulations to accommodate the family needs of reservists who are in same-sex relationships in the same way they do those in opposite-sex relationships.

All Israelis are supposed to do compulsory military service but until now only reservists in opposite-sex relationships have been able to apply to postpone their service if both members of the couple are asked to deploy militarily at the same time.

But now, in recognition that many same-sex couples in Israel are raising children born through surrogacy or that they have adopted, the IDF will extend the same courtesy to people in same-sex couples too.

The ability to postpone service is handy for Israeli couples with children as it allows them to ensure that one parent is always home to look after the kids while the other is being deployed.

Under the new rule any couple who are recognized as being in a relationship by the Israeli National Insurance Institute may apply to the IDF’s Committee for Coordinating Reserve Service to defer their deployment in the event that they have been asked to serve in a period that conflicts with the needs of their family life.