In the most remarkable of court cases, an Israeli man yesterday claimed he has been a victim of “sperm theft.” The woman who “stole” his sperm and became pregnant as a result should be forced to have an abortion, he demanded.

The 21-year-old man who brought the case claimed that the 26-year-old woman carrying his baby seduced him when he was drunk, and claimed she was using birth control. He said that given these circumstances, sperm was “stolen” from him and that she should not be allowed to continue her pregnancy. He claimed that fathering a child would harm his chances of marrying in the future and harm him emotionally and financially.

The woman responded that he was aware of his actions and denied he was under the impression she was on birth control.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The judge in the Haifa family court rejected the man’s claims, saying that he had no right to make decisions regarding the defendant’s body, and that the woman’s right to continue her pregnancy is protected by law. However, he did say that the claim of “sperm theft” could be suitable for a hearing in the civil court, making it conceivable that he could bring a case demanding compensation or dispensation from giving any financial support to the child.

Israel has been gripped today by a harrowing story of a one-year-old girl who was left alone yesterday for three hours in a hot car.

The girl, from the southern town of Kiryat Gat, was supposed to be dropped by her father at day-care. But he forgot, went to work, parked and left the car with her inside.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount