Israeli Health Ministry Proposes Law to Allow Import of Foreign Fertilized Embryos for Surrogacy
The Israeli Ministry of Health is advancing a legislative amendment to the Surrogacy Agreements Law that would permit the importation of fertilized eggs (embryos) created abroad for surrogacy procedures in Israel. Until now, the law required that in vitro fertilization (IVF) be conducted within Israel, with limited exceptions allowing parts of the pregnancy to occur abroad. The proposed amendment would allow the Surrogacy Approvals Committee to authorize agreements involving embryos fertilized outside Israel, provided the embryos are legally imported and accompanied by official laboratory documentation confirming the use of genetic material from at least one intended parent.
The ministry explained that the amendment responds to recent developments, particularly cases involving egg donations from abroad, easing regulatory burdens on intended parents who previously faced restrictions. Despite this relaxation, all embryo implantation, pregnancy management, and childbirth must continue to take place in Israel under existing oversight by the approvals committee and healthcare system.
The amendment builds on new monitoring mechanisms developed in recent years for importing eggs and embryos, including strict import approval requirements to minimize laboratory errors, ensure procedural safety, and verify genetic links to intended parents. This regulatory framework currently operates under temporary orders extended until August 1, with the ministry seeking to enshrine these provisions permanently in law.
The issue arose after a 2018 law mandated IVF procedures be performed in Israel. Following 2021 Health Ministry guidelines, many intended parents had already contracted with foreign clinics and possessed fertilized eggs intended for surrogacy in Israel. Consequently, a temporary directive was issued allowing the import of fertilized eggs from recognized foreign clinics for surrogacy agreements.
Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov stated that after thorough review, the ministry concluded that given the enhanced supervision and control mechanisms, the use of embryos fertilized abroad could be permitted under specific conditions. The amendment aims to expand surrogacy options for intended parents using foreign egg donations while maintaining stringent medical and legal oversight throughout pregnancy and birth in Israel.
