The National Insurance Institute authorised Israel’s first-ever “maternity” leave for a male couple on Thursday. Yonatan Gher, director of Jerusalem’s nonprofit Open House Pride and Tolerance organisation, has received institute approval of a 64-day leave from work on the occasion of the birth of his biological son, born of a surrogate mother in India.
His partner of seven years commenced formal adoption procedures, so that the child will be formally recognised as his as well, haaretz.com reports.
Despite confirmation of the leave, Gher has not received an answer to his request for reimbursement of NIS 10,000 in hospitalisation costs (Gher and his partner also stayed in the hospital prior to the delivery) from the NII.
Photo By Spongefeld (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
