Yes, Israel's national health system funds abortions, provided they are approved by a government-mandated pregnancy termination committee.
Conditions for approval and funding
While all women must apply for permission from a committee to receive a legal abortion, funding is guaranteed in a wide range of circumstances.
Key facts about the system:
Near-universal approval: Committees approve about 98% of all requests. For teens under 18, approval is automatically granted.
Free for certain ages: Since a 2014 reform, all abortions for women aged 20–33 are covered by the national health basket. The state also pays for the procedure for anyone under 20 or over 40.
Expanded access: In 2022, regulations were eased to make access more respectful and efficient. The new rules allow for online applications and no longer require a mandatory meeting with a social worker.
Reasons for approval: Before the 2014 expansion, state-funded abortions were granted based on specific criteria, including:
The woman's physical or mental health is at risk.
The pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
The fetus has a physical or mental defect.
The woman is unmarried.