Calls grow louder for the IDF to consider sperm preservation as a voluntary option for young recruits. Some see it as a moral duty, others as a step too far.
Professor Bella Savitsky never imagined she’d be asking the Israeli military to rethink its policy on reproduction. But after her 21-year-old son Yonatan was killed in combat on October 7, 2023, her plea for posthumous sperm retrieval was met with silence — and then, denial. Too much time had passed. His sperm was no longer viable. A chance for legacy, gone.
Now, she’s pushing for something different. A proactive move. A sperm bank for IDF soldiers — voluntary, confidential, and ready before tragedy strikes.
Grief Turned into a Mission
Savitsky’s loss wasn’t just personal. It became political.
Her son Yonatan served in the elite Egoz unit. During a brutal firefight in Gaza, he reportedly saved over 30 female soldiers before being killed himself. The IDF called him a hero. But for his mother, heroism wasn’t enough.
She wanted to preserve a part of him, something alive. When that request was denied due to time constraints, she realized just how unprepared Israel was for these conversations.
Savitsky, a public health professor in Ashkelon, began speaking out. Loudly. Publicly. Passionately.
“Why should we wait until after death to act?” she asked in one interview. “Let them decide beforehand. Let them choose to leave a piece of themselves behind.”
The Public Pulse: Divided and Emotional
The idea has struck a chord — and a nerve.
Some families of fallen soldiers have stepped forward in support. Others are uneasy. Bioethics experts? Also split.
For supporters, the logic is simple: if a soldier wants to preserve his sperm before deployment, why not let him? No one’s being forced. It’s a choice — a deeply personal one.
Critics argue that it could open a Pandora’s box.
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What happens to the sperm if the family disagrees with the soldier’s partner?
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Should it be used years later if no spouse exists?
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Is the state morally liable for what comes next?
And then there’s the cultural factor: Israel places a high value on family, continuity, and lineage — especially for fallen soldiers. The debate isn’t just about science. It’s about identity, memory, and meaning.
What Does the Data Say?
It’s not a new conversation globally. Other countries have faced it before. In the United States, posthumous sperm retrieval has been done for military personnel in rare cases. The ethics remain fuzzy, but legally, courts have sided with next of kin when clear consent existed.
In Israel, the policy is less developed — but interest is growing. A recent poll by Channel 12 News found that:
| Survey Question | Yes (%) | No (%) | Not Sure (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Should the IDF offer sperm banking as an option for soldiers? | 61 | 28 | 11 |
| Should families be allowed to use a soldier’s sperm after death? | 49 | 39 | 12 |
| Should this be part of basic military orientation? | 55 | 32 | 13 |
Those numbers reflect a country both curious and cautious.
Legal Limbo, Ethical Fog
There’s currently no formal legal mechanism that supports routine sperm collection for soldiers — voluntary or otherwise. Posthumous collection is technically allowed, but only under very tight conditions. The window is small: less than 36 hours. And it often requires court approval.
That’s where Savitsky’s son fell through the cracks. By the time she was informed, it was too late.
A 2017 High Court ruling permitted the parents of a fallen soldier to use his sperm, provided there was evidence he wanted children. But that case took years. Most don’t have that kind of time — emotionally or medically.
There’s also the matter of cost. A nationwide sperm banking system isn’t cheap. Storage, regulation, privacy enforcement — all would require significant funding and infrastructure.
Still, for some lawmakers, it’s a price worth paying.
Could the IDF Actually Do This?
Israel is no stranger to innovative military policy. From mandatory psychological screenings to cyber units led by teens, the IDF already breaks molds. A soldier sperm bank wouldn’t be the wildest move it’s ever made.
The Ministry of Defense has acknowledged receiving proposals. Nothing has been greenlit. But internal discussions are underway, sources confirm.
Defense insiders say it would need:
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Clear guidelines for consent and usage
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A legal framework for ownership and inheritance
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Counseling support for soldiers and families
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Long-term funding and regulatory oversight
Some medical institutions, including Sheba Medical Center, have offered to partner if the program is approved.
So, while nothing is official — the infrastructure could be built.
A Mother’s Voice That Won’t Fade
She says her fight is for other mothers now. For the 18-year-olds joining the IDF this summer. For the young men whose lives may end before they ever get the chance to start a family.
“It’s not just about legacy,” she says. “It’s about love. And about giving our boys the dignity of choice.”
Her voice, once quiet with grief, now echoes across national headlines. And whether or not the IDF adopts her proposal, the conversation has already changed.
