Following a court ruling, Israel’s surrogacy law has been expanded to provide access to surrogate pregnancies “to any person in Israel.” Surrogacy had previously been restricted to heterosexual couples and single women with fertility problems. Now it is lawful for anyone, including single men and people in the LGBTQ community.
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz
“Today, we are putting an end to years of injustice and discrimination,” said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz. “Members of the LGBTQ community have an equal right to be parents.”
People seeking to arrange surrogacy in Israel must get permission from the Health Ministry. As an initial step, a Ministry panel examines the applicant’s eligibility according to the definition of a “prospective parent.” This definition used to include only couples consisting of a man and a woman, both of whom were Israeli residents, or single female residents with medical problems preventing pregnancy. Now, anyone can do it.
In her court ruling, Justice Esther Hayut explained that the change will make surrogacy available for “anyone who is suffering fertility limitations of the kind and quality that can only be resolved through resort to a surrogacy process.”
For advice on family law issues and fertility law issues, contact Shirley Levitan.
