JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli baby born to a surrogate mother in a Nepal field hospital died less than a day after his birth.
The baby boy, a twin, died Wednesday night in Kathmandu in a tent in a field hospital set up following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 that has killed thousands.
Following the earthquake, Israel evacuated 25 Israeli babies born to surrogate mothers in Nepal, as well as some late-term surrogate mothers. Four more babies born after the earthquake were later airlifted out of Nepal as well.
One of the parents was identified as Yossef Levy, Israel’s ambassador to Serbia.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry told Israel Radio that it was working to bring the baby’s twin sister and father to Israel, the Times of Israel reported. The time necessary to bring a baby born to a surrogate into the country was recently shortened from about a month to a week.
The baby was being cared for in a tent with nine other newborn. He may have had a heart condition, according to reports.
Although a bill to allow same-sex couples to have surrogate pregnancies in Israel passed an initial vote in the Knesset last year, it has yet to become law. For now, same-sex Israeli couples must go abroad for surrogacy and are allowed to bring the child back to Israel.
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