A 33-year-old gay Palestinian man petitioned the High Court of Justice on Sunday, asking it to grant him permanent residency in Israel so that he may live with his partner, who lives in the central Israeli city of Bat Yam.

The man, a resident of the northern West Bank village of Tamon, further claimed to fear for his life, since his family refuses to accept his sexual orientation and may try to harm him.

Attorneys Yohanna Lerman and Maya Yatziv, for the plaintiff, told the court that the man and his partner met nine years ago, and have been domestic partners ever since.

According to the brief, the Palestinian's family found out about his gay relationship in early 2000 and subsequently warned him that if he did not "reform" he will be killed to save face.

The man chose to continue living with his lover in Israel, unbeknown to his family, but unfortunately, relatives residing in Jaffa informed his father that he was "still hanging out with homosexuals."...