Abortion in Israel

What is the current status of abortion in Israel?

America’s Supreme Court recently overturned Roe vs Wade in a historic ruling. In response, Israel loosened their abortion laws. Today, we’re going to take a hard look at the abortion industry in Israel, and why it is so important. 

Israel is Loosening Their Abortion Restrictions

Here are some of the changes that will take place as a part of these bills:

• It will grant women access to abortion pills.
• It will also no longer require women to appear before a committee for approval to get an abortion. Instead, a digital application will need to be submitted and the committee will only screen them in person if their application is denied, which it rarely is. 

A headline from the left-wing newpaper here in Israel ran, A Welcome Change on Abortion, Still Far From Making Israel an Enlightened Country.

“A change in regulations is  a start, but unless Israel stops being governed by religion, it will remain an unenlightened and paternalistic state that treats women as nothing more than vessels for children.”

Ido Efrati, reporting for Haaretz News on June 28, 2022

The History of Abortion in Israel

Abortion laws in Israel are controversial and complex, and surprisingly, those from both sides do not like them. Here’s a short history of abortion laws in Israel:

• Abortion was completely illegal until 1977.
• Since then, it has been allowed under a certain set of circumstances. 
• In 2014, the law was updated to ease access to state-funded abortion services. 

The Requirements for a Woman to get an Abortion in Israel

A woman must seek approval from a pregnancy termination committee, of which there are 40 in Israel. Each committee is based out of a hospital where legally the abortion must also be performed, and consists of three people: two doctors and a social worker. At least one woman is required to be on each committee. 

A woman seeking an abortion is permitted to proceed with the abortion if she meets one of the following criteria:

• If the woman is younger than 18 or older than 40.
• If the woman is unmarried or the pregnancy is not from the marriage.
• If the pregnancy is the result of illegal or incestuous relations.
• If the child is liable to be born with a physical or mental birth defect.
• Continuing the pregnancy will endanger the woman’s life or cause her physical/emotional harm.

Pregnancy Termination Committees are only allowed to authorize abortions up to 24 weeks. Anything later than that must be referred to a separate, specialized committee. According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, 98% of requests are immediately approved. 

Good News and Bad News About Abortion in Israel

The Bad News:

• There are two prominent pro-choice organizations in Israel: ​​ One is called “Choose Well” and the other “Open Door.” These organizations are fighting for more liberal abortion laws and easier access to abortions. 
• Since December 2021, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz has been fighting for more liberal abortion laws. The recent changes are most likely the beginning of his plan. 
• Women serving in the IDF are provided with state-funded abortions. 

The Good News:

Yes, while abortion is definitely at a terrible place in Israel, there are some encouraging factors:

• Women under the age of 40 who have no health problems, and no health issues with the baby are not allowed to get an abortion. 
• Abortion clinics are actually illegal in Israel.  
• There have not been any pro-abortion laws passed since it was legalized in 1977 until 2022. 
• Late term abortions after 24 weeks make up less than 2% of all abortions in Israel.
• Abortion rates have been declining for more than 30 years. 

There are also several pro-life organizations in Israel. Be’ad Chaim (Choose Life) is the most prominent. Their mission is to, “end abortion and preserve life in Israel by offering viable alternatives to abortion, resources for mothers in need, pregnancy counseling, as well as education initiatives.”

Be’ad Chaim has petitioned the Supreme Court of Israel to ban abortion after 24 weeks. They are also actively working against the Health Minister’s recent abortion law changes. 

Current Abortion Statistics in Israel

• 20,000 abortions are legally performed annually in Israel. Some estimate that 20,000 more are illegally performed, but we can’t know for sure. 
• This number has not grown in the last several years, despite significant population growth. 
• According to some, Israel’s abortion rate is lower than any European country. 
• Since documentation started in the 1990s, the abortion numbers have stayed the same. 
• This means that percentage-wise, abortion is decreasing in Israel. 

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu on Abortion in Israel

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the chief rabbi of Sefat, and also very prominent in Israel, penned an op-ed article in Israel’s media strongly advocating for the pro-life movement. He said:

Don’t listen to these ‘enlightened’ people, who want to take us back two thousand years, to the dark ages of Rome and Greece – you have the right to believe that life is sacred and murder is backward. You have the right to say openly that life is more important than a vacation in the US, a new car or a master’s degree. You have the right to believe that murdering a fetus is primitive and backward, not advanced or enlightened.

Despite the fact that abortion is not at a good place in Israel, many Orthodox rabbis and Orthodox groups are pro-life, in general, the religious Jews of the world are also pro-family!

So even though there are many abortions performed in Israel every year, Israel is still a culture of life, family and children. Israel has one of the highest birth rates in the world at 3.1 per capita. 

In Conclusion

Here at the Israel Guys, we are advocates of life, and are completely against abortion, in any way, shape or form. We are in no way downplaying the horrific abortion statistics in Israel and we encourage you to continue praying for and standing with Israel to become more and more pro-life. 

At the same time, we want you to be encouraged. Abortion in Israel is actually decreasing. And at its core, Israel is a culture of life.