The Israeli Interior Ministry has refused to grant citizenship to a number of infants born through surrogacy arrangements in Thailand to Israeli parents. It is estimated that up to 65 babies are thought to be caught in this state of limbo.

Diplomats in Israel are working with Thai authorities to facilitate the babies’ entry into Israel. The 65 babies in Thailand were conceived by homosexual Israeli couples. The Interior Ministry has sited Thai regulations that require the surrogate mother to legally relinquish their rights as a parent to the baby which causes complications.

All of the parents concerned followed the legal and bureaucratic requirements that were expected of them. Whilst surrogacy in Thailand is permitted, there are no laws that govern it. Israel does not allow homosexual couples to embark on surrogacy arrangements within the country, resulting in many individuals going abroad.

In a recent statement, Interior Minister, Gideon Sa’ar said the Israeli government was doing all it can to facilitate the entry of the babies into Israel. Sa’ar maintained that “One way or another, I have ordered my ministry’s workers to approve issuing passports for the children without delay as soon as the foreign office reaches an agreement with the Thai authorities”