Ex-model Idan Roll eyes re-election in Israel after fighting for gay surrogacy

Idan Roll, who is Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, became a politician after campaigning for gay surrogacy in Israel - now l former model wants to be re-elected

Idan Roll, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister

Idan Roll entered public life in Israel as part of a celebrity couple, but is now the country's deputy foreign minister, following a successful gay surrogacy campaign.

Last week, on Thursday June 30, Israel's parliament - the Knesset - voted to dissolve, triggering the country's fifth election in less than four years, to be held in November.

One of the candidates hoping to be re-elected is Idan Roll, a former model, lawyer and LGBTQI+ rights activist, who is currently Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister.

Member of the centre-left Yesh Atid party spoke to the Mirror during a visit to London on Tuesday July 5, as he attended the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief , organized by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Roll followed an unconventional path to politics. He entered politics after successfully campaigning for same-sex couples to legally have a child through a surrogate in Israel.

Idan Roll, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Interview by Katie Wilson of the Mirror

"It's something we all really fought for," Roll said.

He described it as "incredible" that couples can now "go through this incredible process surrounded by loved ones in Israel, in Hebrew, in local hospitals, where they speak the language and understand what is going on. ".< /p>

Roll has two surrogate children in Oklahoma with husband Harel Skaat, one of Israel's biggest pop stars. Harel Skaat represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010.

The couple have been described as a celebrity power couple in Israel.

"There's definitely a big upside to getting into a political career and a public career doing social activism," Roll said.

"I think it humbles you.

"It allowed me to learn more about my community, as well as different other communities in Israel.

"With Israel having held back-to-back elections in recent years, it is imperative that I remember at all times the reasons why I did so.

"Inclusiveness and tolerance is a job that never ends. It's about maintaining it, it's about education, and I'm privileged to be part of it."

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Last June, Roll hoisted the pride flag at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem to mark Pride Month, alongside the c...