Nightmare Ruling For Non-Genetically Related Israeli Parents By Surrogacy

In a recent case, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that in future cases, no parental status should be recognized for parents of children by surrogacy without a genetic connection to the child.

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Israel has been an LGBTQ haven in the Middle East. Its new government could change that.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency | January 17, 2023

The Israeli Supreme Court extended the right to have children via surrogates to same sex couples in 2021. But its new anti-LGBTQ government put these and other protections in jeopardy.

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LGBTQ Group Petition High Court to Enforce Surrogacy Law

Yonah Jeremy Bob | The Jerusalem Post | August 29, 2022

Two NGOs and multiple LGBTQ couples filed a petition against the Israeli High Court for dragging its feet on the abolishment of surrogacy laws that exclude both single and gay men. 

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Israel’s Openly Gay Health Minister Talks Conversion Therapies, Surrogacy and Religion

Ravit Hecht | Haaretz | June 8, 2022

Israel’s openly gay Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz comments on the new law legalizing surrogacy for gay male couples in Israel. He maintains that surrogacy should be equally accessible for all, with safeguards against exploitation. 

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In Breakthrough, Israel Temporary Eases Gay Surrogacy Policy

Adir Yanko | Ynet News | April 11, 2022

Israel’s Health Ministry announced that single gay males or gay couples who have frozen embryos abroad, or are planning to freeze them until the end of April, can bring them to Israel for insemination via a surrogate.

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Foreign Ministry Workers Stop Helping Babies Born to Surrogates in Protest

Lahac Harkov | The Jerusalem Post | January 17, 2022

Israel’s Foreign Ministry workers stopped registering babies born to surrogates overseas (mostly the United States, Georgia, and Colombia) to protest pay cuts and deteriorating work conditions. Though the Foreign Ministry has faced numerous budget cuts, the workload of foreign consular services employees has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a series of unreasonable events and requests, such as elimination of overtime pay and required availability 24 hours a day, the union is protesting and calling for better treatment.

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Children by Surrogacy to be Allowed for Same-Sex Couples, Single Men from Next Week

Stuart Winer and TOI Staff | Times of Israel | January 4, 2022

Same-sex couples, single men, and transgender people can now become parents through surrogacy, an option previously denied to them in Israel. This ruling ends a decade-long legal battle that started with a petition filed by a gay couple in 2010. Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz also reassured prospective surrogates that the government is committed to protecting their rights and health.

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After Israel’s Landmark Surrogacy Ruling, Protecting Surrogate Mothers is Paramount

Or Kashti | Haaretz | July 12, 2021

Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that a ban on surrogacy for same sex couples and single men is discriminatory and must be lifted. The author of this opinion piece notes that surrogacy can be harmful and exploitative and urges attention toward safeguarding the rights and health of surrogates in Israel and other countries.  Isha L’Isha Haifa Feminist Center highlights the lack of data on the effects of surrogacy and a lawsuit threat they received after publishing testimonies from surrogates in India.

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Israeli Court Annuls Parts of Surrogacy Law Excluding Gays

AP News | July 11, 2021

In February 2020, the Israeli High Court ruled the country’s surrogacy restriction against same-sex couples and single men unconstitutional. The Court asked for changes within a year, then granted a 4-month extension after the government attributed delays to the COVID-19 outbreak. Parliament did not meet that deadline, and on July 11 the Court ruled that the amended law lifting restrictions on same-sex couples and single fathers will take effect in six months. LGBTQ advocates express that this is a “historic landmark in our struggle for equality,” noting future obstacles including legalization of same-sex marriage.

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High Court Pushes Deadline to Fix Surrogacy Law After Elections

Tzci Joffre | Jerusalem Post | March 12, 2021

This article provides an update on Israeli surrogacy law: the High Court had sent back the latest amendment to the government after deeming it unconstitutional for failing to include single men and same-sex couples. LGBTQ activists have been advocating for changes to the law for 11 years. Most recently the government again attempted to avoid the issue, allegedly to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, but the Court granted the government only a four-month extension to July 1, after the upcoming March 23 elections.

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