New York, NY – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled narrowly today to nullify a Louisiana abortion law that dramatically decreased abortion accessibility by mandating that doctors performing abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The Rabbinical Assembly has long opposed efforts to limit abortion access and supported reproductive freedom. In response to legislative efforts that threatened reproductive freedom in 2012, the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international association for Conservative/Masorti rabbis, passed a Resolution on Reproductive Freedom in the United States. Following today’s victory for abortion accessibility, the RA issued the following statement:
The RA celebrates today’s decision by the Supreme Court to strike down the controversial Louisiana abortion law that would have effectively restricted abortion to only one abortion provider in Louisiana. Laws such as the Louisiana legislation that was struck down today are part of a series of targeted restrictions on abortion providers (TRAP) across the country that seek to ultimately stymie access to abortion. The RA is resolutely opposed to such laws.
Our position is based on rabbinic interpretation of Exodus 21:22-23, that personhood and human rights begin with birth rather than conception, along with other relevant biblical texts, rabbinic sources, and modern rabbinic responsa (teshuvot). Jewish tradition cherishes the sanctity of life, including the potential of life which a pregnant woman carries within her, but also affirms that abortion is sometimes necessary. It is therefore vital for it to be safe and available throughout the United States.
While today is a victory for reproductive freedom, abortion access is still under assault in many states. The RA will continue to oppose efforts to impose unnecessary obstacles on women seeking abortions. Moreover, abortion access is one of numerous components of reproductive healthcare, and many others, such as access to education and contraception, are also critical.