The amendment to the Surrogacy Law (Law Concerning Agreements to Carry Embryos), which was approved by the government on June 1, with a large majority, is more than just an important landmark in Israel’s gay revolution. It is also an expression of an overall attitude of openness that has come to characterize the political system over the past few years in all matters pertaining to the rights of the gay and lesbian community.

The amendment, which was initiated by Health Minister Yael German (Yesh Atid Party), would allow gays and lesbians to use surrogacy services in Israel to become parents. It received the support of all ministers from the Likud Party, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the ministers from Yesh Atid and Hatnua.

As expected, it was ministers representing HaBayit HaYehudi Party, headed by Housing Minister Uri Ariel, who tried to torpedo this amendment. In March, Ariel filed an appeal with the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, which had approved the law two weeks earlier, thereby delaying its approval by the entire Cabinet.

Ariel, who is known for his homophobic attitudes (he once asserted that recruiting openly gay people would interfere with the Israel Defense Forces' ability to fight), explained at the time that the amendment to the law imposes a moral and ethical question on what an Israeli family should look like. Rabbis associated with HaBayit HaYehudi were stirring the pot behind the scenes, calling on religious Knesset members to oppose the bill.