Abortion in Israel is permitted when determined by a termination committee, with the vast majority of cases being approved as of 2019[update].[1][2][3] The rate of abortion in Israel has steadily declined since 1988,[1] and compared to the rest of the world, abortion rates in Israel are moderate. According to government data, in Israel, abortion rates in 2016 dropped steadily to 9 per 1,000 women of childbearing age, lower than England (16.2) and the United States (13.2). 99% of abortions are carried out in the first trimester.[4] Despite allegations of permitting abortion under limited circumstances, Haaretz noted in 2019 that this is not the case and abortion is almost always permitted in Israel.[5]