On July 21, 2021 the Israeli High Court ruled that women have the right to choose a birth center as a place to have a baby. Just four years ago, the Health Ministry closed the last independent birth center. It was run by two midwives, Tami Tessler and Ofrit Peck. These two humble, brave, and clear minded midwives were joined by “Women Call For Birth Israel” and sued the Israeli Government. They lost their suit to a panel of three male judges. They then petitioned the High Court to allow them to appeal. The Chief Justice of the High Court, a woman, granted permission. In February, the appeal was argued before the High Court. With a stellar legal team headed by Gali Opinsky of Lipa Meir, and in front of a panel of seven judges which included two women – they won! This is a huge win for all women in Israel. Now they can choose between home, birth center and hospital for places to have a baby.
It is an inspiration and a joy to see ordinary, humble and clear minded women like Tami Tessler, Ofrit Peck, Gali Opinsky and the mothers of “Women Call For Birth Israel” vindicate basic human rights that had been dismissively denied by the power structure.