Avi Harush’s son Reef tragically lost his life in combat, but his father believes that Reef’s desire to have children lives on. In the wake of the recent Hamas attacks in Israel, more and more bereaved parents are seeking to extract and freeze sperm from their deceased sons, many of whom were soldiers.
Reef’s father, Avi, recalls the heartbreaking moment he learned of his son’s death and the decision presented to him by military officers – the opportunity to retrieve Reef’s sperm. Avi immediately knew that Reef, who loved children and wanted kids of his own, would have wanted this.
Since the October attacks, nearly 170 young men’s sperm has been retrieved in Israel, a significant increase from previous years. The process involves extracting tissue from the testicle within 24 hours of death, isolating live sperm cells, and freezing them for potential future use.
While the rules around sperm retrieval have been relaxed, the legal processes for using the sperm in conception can be lengthy and challenging for bereaved parents. Rachel Cohen and her husband faced opposition but eventually succeeded in using their son Keivan’s sperm to conceive a child, Osher, who is now 10 years old.
Dr. Itai Gat, who performs the sperm retrieval surgeries, acknowledges the importance of preserving the option of reproduction for bereaved families. He has seen firsthand how freezing a loved one’s sperm can bring some comfort to grieving families.
The issue of sperm retrieval from deceased sons has sparked debate among lawmakers in Israel, with efforts to create clearer rules and guidelines stalling. Families who have already frozen their sons’ sperm are concerned about potential future legal battles and lack of clarity on consent issues.
Despite the challenges, Avi remains determined to fulfill Reef’s wish for children. He holds onto memories of his son and is committed to making sure Reef’s legacy lives on through future generations.
