Sperm from 39 men killed in war has been extracted for future fertilization, Knesset committee says

By Carrie Keller-Lynn 15 November 2023, 11:13 am

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Carrie Keller-Lynn is a former political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel

Illustrative -- In this May 15, 2018, photo, a scientist picks up a vial containing frozen donor sperm samples in a lab in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Sperm from 39 men killed since the start of the war has been extracted from their bodies to be used by their families for future fertilization, reported the Knesset’s Health Committee on Wednesday.

In line with relaxed Health Ministry requirements, spouses and parents of deceased men can request to have sperm harvested. The procedure is most effective within the first 24 hours after death, but is possible for several days.

In non-wartime, spouses can request the procedure, but parents must petition family court for an order enabling the procedure. The latter requirement was put aside last week.

Thirty-two of the men whose sperm was harvested were soldiers, and seven were civilians.