Israel to Pay for All Abortions

Israeli health officials announced Monday that the state would pay for all abortions for women age 20 to 33 starting next year. Subsidized abortions were previously only available in the case of medical emergencies, including rape and sexual abuse. An Israeli medical official says he hopes to make the program universal in the future. "It was brought to our attention that there is a large group of women between 20 and 30 who for various reasons—financial or reasons of secrecy—do not terminate pregnancies," health official Jonathan Halevy said. Women will have to appear before a state committee before terminating a pregnancy.