Abortion is a Jewish value and should be safeguarded - National Council of Jewish Women

• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Published date: 25 September 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The House approved legislation on Friday to protect abortion services against growing Republican-backed state restrictions, including a Texas law that imposes a near-total ban on abortion, but it is unlikely to pass the Senate.

In addition, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed a new law that restricts access to abortion-inducing medications, just weeks after the state rolled out a near-total ban on abortion procedures.

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The law on medications prohibits mail-order abortion-inducing drugs and says doctors in the state are only allowed to prescribe them up to seven weeks after conception. Previously that restriction was set at 10 weeks.

"Texas continues to lead the way in protecting unborn children and fostering a culture of life," Abbott said in a written statement. "We have taken monumental steps to save babies from the ravages of abortion."

The progressive NCJW views the values of Judaism as a call to do the opposite.

"As Jews, we recognize abortion as essential health care, that is not only permitted but in some cases, required by our tradition," Katz said in a statement. "We celebrate the House of Representatives' passage of WHPA which moves us closer to ensuring that all people have access to the full range of reproductive options, including abortion, in line with their values and faith tradition," she said.

"Since 2011, anti-abortion lawmakers have passed more than 500 restrictive abortion laws through state legislatures and already 2021 is the worst legislative year ever for abortion rights. The people most impacted are Black, indigenous, people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those working to make ends meet who already face obstacles to health care," Katz continued.

During the Supreme Court term beginning next month, the court will hear a challenge to Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban that could...