Surrogates – the Israeli model

Surrogacy in Israel has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity in recent years and experts predict that numbers will double or even triple in the coming years.

Israel was one of the first countries in the world to enact a comprehensive, strict and detailed surrogacy law, based on clear regulation and criteria and a responsible approach to the process. The law defines the rights and obligations of all those involved in the process and is subject to the supervision of relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Health.

The Israeli model is unique and groundbreaking, and prominent in the international landscape. It is often an inspiration to other countries looking for creative and convenient solutions to infertility.

Surrogacy in Israel combines emotional, social, ethical and legal aspects, and beyond the financial compensation, which is allowed by law, there are other factors that influence women’s decision to become surrogates. The altruistic nature of surrogacy in Israel helps prevent the phenomenon of baby trafficking and encourages surrogates to conceive for another couple, out of a genuine desire to help and less because of the financial reward.

Legality and Legal Regulation

In Israel, surrogacy is regulated by the Embryo Carrying Agreements Law (1996).
The law defines clear terms and limitations regarding who may use surrogacy services and who may be a surrogate. Israeli law provides a framework of legal protection for both the surrogate and the intended parents, with legally defined rights that include full transparency, medical, psychological, emotional, and financial support throughout the process.

Israel is the only country in the world that requires a committee to thoroughly examine all the criteria before any surrogacy procedure. The Israeli government committee conducts a rigorous review of each agreement to ensure it meets the requirements of the law. These detailed agreements between the surrogate and the intended parents guarantee the rights of all parties involved and regulate the legal and medical aspects. In other countries, the legal contract is determined according to local laws. There are also countries where surrogacy is not regulated and is only permitted in certain cases.

The nature of surrogacy

In Israel the number of surrogates is limited and supervised. While in some countries surrogacy has become an industry, in Israel it is also seen as an act of giving. In addition, there is supervision over the amount of financial compensation awarded to the surrogate, so that there is no trade-off and also to make sure that the women interested in the process want and are able to go through it.

This difference reflects the social context, values ​​and the different approaches to surrogacy in Israel, both socially and professionally. Surrogacy in Israel is considered altruistic because, unlike in the USA, for example, where surrogacy is commercial and considered as additional income for the surrogate, in Israel surrogacy is much more than financial compensation. It is a journey of giving, creating a deep connection and fulfilling a dream, all under a clear legal framework.

The surrogate in Israel receives compensation for her services and reimbursement for all her expenses in the surrogacy process. This compensation is in addition to the other payments, which are borne by the intended parents as part of the procedure, such as: payments to a lawyer, psychologist, doctors, the insurance company, etc. In addition, the compensation is determined according to several factors such as the number of inseminations, the number of embryos, the type of birth and whether additional medical treatments were required.

Surrogacy in Israel is primarily a moving testimony of female solidarity that sometimes continues to deepen even after the birth. When one woman experiences the difficulty of bringing a child into the world and another woman chooses to give her the gift of pregnancy, a special and unforgettable bond is created. It is a joint journey of giving and fulfilling a dream, and the decision to become a surrogate in Israel stems mainly from these reasons and less from the financial reward.

Many surrogates in Israel are interested in volunteering for the process out of a strong desire to help other couples start a family. In addition to the financial compensation, they are entitled to receive maternity benefits and maternity leave stipulated by law, even though they do not keep the baby after the birth. This is a great advantage that allows the surrogate to recover from the process, receive financial compensation during the recovery period and keep her job.

The profile of the surrogate

In Israel there are restrictions: not every woman can act as a surrogate and the entire procedure is under strict supervision.

In some other countries, the restrictions are fewer and therefore there is a wider availability of surrogates and the process is faster and more flexible. Most Israeli surrogates stand out for their generous spirit that gives hope to many families and reflect values ​​of giving, compassion and social solidarity.

The Israeli surrogates are mainly married and educated women, who live in small communities such as kibbutzim (72.6%) and almost half of them are from the religious sector. Contrary to the popular opinion in some parts of the world, that surrogates are weak women who go through the process to receive additional financial income, surrogates in Israel make their decision independently and positively.

They are independent and strong women who see the surrogacy journey mainly as a mission to contribute for the sake of others.

Support and accompaniment

In Israel, the entire surrogacy process from beginning to end is accompanied by close medical and legal supervision and there is a lot of support for the surrogate and the intended parents. Abroad, there are cases where the support is less extensive or varies depending on the country and the handling agency.

For surrogates in Israel, this is much more than a medical procedure. There are special communities for surrogates who support each other during the journey, and the beautiful bond formed between the surrogates and the intended parents is a source of support, encouragement and inspiration. The community of surrogates in Israel also works to promote the rights of surrogates in Israel, with the understanding that this is a complex and long process.

The support groups create a safe space for sharing, mutual learning and monitoring developments in the field. In the support groups there are supportive and inclusive communities, where every surrogate can share her experiences, difficulties and joys. By sharing knowledge, experience and emotional support, the women help each other deal with the challenges involved in the process and together, they strengthen each other, advance the status of surrogates in society and work to improve the conditions for surrogates in Israel.

According to Israeli law, both the intended parents and the surrogate must be residents of Israel. This requirement allows for close medical monitoring and facilitation of the international surrogacy process. Being residents of Israel allows the intended parents and the surrogate to form a close relationship and go through the process in a comfortable and continuous manner, and the geographical proximity between the intended parents and the surrogate encourages the building of a supportive relationship.

These differences reflect the legal, cultural and moral approaches to surrogacy around the world and the uniqueness of the surrogacy process in Israel.