In A Historic Decision, Same-sex Couples In Israel Can Now Opt For Surrogacy

Israel has lifted restrictions barring same-sex couples and single men from becoming parents through surrogacy within the country, upholding a Supreme Court ruling to end the ban.

"It is a historic day for the LGBTQ struggle in Israel," Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who is openly gay, said at a news conference, announcing the ministry had issued a circular granting equal access for all to surrogate pregnancy.

¡°Full equality. That is the simple demand and it is the goal of the LGBT struggle, the long struggle of my community,¡± said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz. ¡°Equality before the law and equality of parenthood.¡±

NPR

With the ban now lifted, male homosexual couples, single Israeli men and transsexual individuals will be permitted to arrange surrogate pregnancies in the country.

The new policy will come into effect on January 11.

Israel's LGBTQ+ community had demanded for years to be allowed to pursue surrogacy, which is already accessible to heterosexual couples and single women.

In July, the Supreme Court, petitioned by gay rights activists, ruled that the surrogacy ban for same-sex couples and single men violated their rights and must be lifted within six months.

The restrictions had applied only to surrogacy arrangements in Israel, and some of those barred from pursuing the process at home travelled abroad to do so.

Getty Images

Under the previous regulations, Israeli same-sex couples looking to become parents could not engage a surrogate and were often deterred by the additional costs of finding one abroad.

The state had argued that the law was intended to protect surrogate mothers but the court ruled that it would be possible to strike a balance that would not discriminate.

In contrast with much of the conservative Middle East, Israel is generally tolerant toward its LGBTQ community. Gays serve openly in Israel¡¯s military and parliament, and many popular artists and entertainers are openly gay. Nonetheless, obstacles ¡ª including the absence of civil marriage that would allow same-sex marriage ¡ª remain.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.