LGBTQ+ Community Fears Surrogacy Policy Shift Amid Israeli Health Ministry Committee Changes
As Israel approaches its elections, concerns have emerged within the LGBTQ+ community and professionals about the Health Ministry's potential plan to replace all members of the committee that approves surrogacy procedures in Israel. This committee's composition significantly influences surrogacy policy, and a full replacement for a four-year term could impact regulations under the next government. Although the Health Ministry denies any final decision and states no candidate list has been formed, Knesset member Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu (Yesh Atid) has requested a halt to appointments during the election period, citing the principle of restraint for caretaker governments.
Data from the Health Ministry shows a 24% drop in new surrogacy applications over the past year, with the steepest decline among male couples. Lior Ben Shabat, a 36-year-old from Kibbutz Beit Nir, and his partner, who have a two-year-old daughter born via surrogacy in the U.S., hoped to have their next child through surrogacy in Israel. However, their request to import frozen embryos created abroad was denied due to differences in medical protocols, specifically hormone levels administered to the egg donor, which did not meet Israeli standards. After seven months of bureaucratic delays and legal consultations, they abandoned the Israeli route and returned to surrogacy abroad.
Ben Shabat emphasizes his support for strict oversight to protect surrogate mothers but expresses frustration over what he perceives as unfair treatment and lack of transparency. Knesset member Lahav-Hertzanu, who is also undergoing surrogacy, describes the process as a "bureaucratic helmet journey" and warns that replacing the entire committee now could cause loss of expertise and delays in surrogacy approvals. He also highlights concerns about a restrictive approach toward LGBTQ+ applicants, referencing past statements by Professor Talia Geva Eldar, the current committee head, who previously expressed reservations about expanding surrogacy rights.
A surrogate mother currently in the process also reports excessive and redundant medical testing imposed by the committee, which she believes unnecessarily complicates the procedure. Professionals warn that a full committee overhaul could paralyze the approval process for months and exacerbate existing difficulties, particularly for LGBTQ+ families.
The Health Ministry reiterates that no decision has been made to replace the entire committee and that appointments are subject to legal and procedural review. They confirm that surrogacy import regulations remain unchanged and are designed to protect egg donors' health and rights. The ministry promises a smooth transition should new members be appointed and states that any appointment during the election period will be legally examined. Meanwhile, activists and lawmakers continue to advocate for clearer, fairer surrogacy policies that support LGBTQ+ families in Israel.
